Claire Williams is hopeful that the Williams Martini Racing FW40 will enable the team to move back up the order after finishing fifth in the championship in 2016, behind the Sahara Force India F1 Team.
Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll will be representing the Grove-based squad this season, and with a raft of regulation changes, particularly in regards to the aerodynamics, Williams is hopeful the FW40 will be strong enough to enable her drivers to deliver good results.
Stroll comes in for Valtteri Bottas, who has made the switch to the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team for 2017, and Williams is hoping that he and veteran Brazilian Massa will be in a good position compared to their rivals once the season gets underway,
“This season is one synonymous with change,” said Williams. “Not only are we competing under a new set of regulations, but for the first time since 2013 our driver line-up features a new face in the form of 2016 FIA European Formula 3 Champion, Lance Stroll. He takes on his rookie year alongside Felipe Massa, one of the most experienced drivers on the grid.
“After finishing fifth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2016, it will be a challenging year – especially as we enter this new era of racing. However, the team have been working extremely hard over the winter to deliver the maximum performance out of the car going into a brand new season.
“We hope that everyone’s hard work over the winter will have paid off, but it’s now a waiting game to see where we stand in relation to our rivals. We are ready for 2017. With changes up and down the grid, a new era is upon us and we will keep pushing to get Williams back to where it should be.”
