Persberichten - Big changes in Williams

Big changes in Williams

Williams encounters the biggest changes in its history in the upcoming season. The changes are related to the technology used in the car as well as to the driver roster. The team also reached 10th position in the team standings. It a good achievement, although the performance during the season sometimes stayed at a conservative level. Other objective was to pass Trabant in the team standings, but in this meter Williams remained 5 points shy. On the next season we must do better!

During the two first seasons Williams has trusted Renault as its engine supplier, but it's going to change for the next one. After meticulous analysis, the technical department gave a clear message about the performance of the Renault engine. Top speed is simply too slow. The engine is good on curvy and slow tracks, but according to the calculations with a Ferrari engine the lap times on average would be faster. due to its high top speed. Williams' aerodynamic are already good enough from the accelerations point of view. The acceleration must not be highlighted too much with the engine choice.

The board of directors has finished the budgeting for building an engine department. The construction for is already well underway and will be finished 22.10, when also the prototyping for the new engine can be started. The work is very expensive and time consuming, because Williams has nothing ready. Everything must be started from scratch.

Tommi Häkkinen will not continue his F1 career with Williams after season 10. Häkkinen well be replaced by the fresh Indy Series champion, Kaius Kauria. Team manager looni apologizes publicly his bad drivers choices:

looni: "I am sorry about our modest success during season 10, especially towards the end of the season. Häkkinen lost completely his motivation of motorsports. I could perceive these symptoms already on the first F1 seaspn, but in the meanwhile I was blind to them. I gave the guy another chance, but as it shows it was a mistake. However, luckily Häkkinen was able to get 4 series points to use and we finished in the top 10, what was our main goal of the season. But we all know, that we had chances to pursue much better results. I hope that Kauria will fulfil the expectations of us all."

On the season 9 Häkkinen started the season as number one driver of Williams. Anyhow, he was beaten by his teammate, Teemu Laine, continously.

Season 9 average positions (qualifying)
Laine 24,68
Häkkinen 24,95

Season 9 average positions (race)
Laine 19,37
Häkkinen 24,21

Season 10 average positions (qualifying)
Laine 17,32
Häkkinen 24,42

Season 10 average positions (race)
Laine 18,63
Häkkinen 23,26

Laine will continue his contract with Williams.

looni: "I am very pleased with the season of Laine. A few extra DNF's occured during the season, but basically he finished on good positions. Laine will continue as a proud Williams driver with his new teammate Kauria. On the upcoming season our chances to better are huge in comparison with this season."

We got also Kauria to comment his new F1 seat.

Kauria: "I am very motivated. I was asked to drive for Williams already on season 9, but I though with my manager that I was not ready for big boys league straight from F2 Ocenian Series. The two most reced seasons in Indy Series have given me a lot and I have learned much about the importance of tyre strategies. I have done a heavy fitness training and also improved my overtaking skills. At the moment I am working with my PR manager, so that my sullen character doesn't ruin the teams reputation in the eyes of the sponsors. I believe to be ready to encounter this challenge now. I hope that I don't disappoint the Williams fans."