Williams has showcased the livery the team will run in the 2024 Formula 1 season as it bids to build on an encouraging outing last term.
Williams has become the third team – following McLaren and Haas – to unveil its design for the new campaign with a launch event at PUMA’s flagship New York City store.
The FW46 once again features branding from Gulf Oil, who became a partner to Williams last year and saw the team run a special livery in Singapore, Qatar and Japan.
The Grove-based outfit has welcomed new partners that feature on the tweaked scheme, which serves as “a contemporary tribute” to iconic cars from the team’s past glory.
A multi-year principal partnership with Japanese manufacturing company Komatsu sees the logo feature prominently on the FW46 driver overalls and team racing kit.
The partnership harks back to the team’s previous collaboration with Komatsu in the 1980s and ’90s, which included supplying gearbox components to the title-winning 1996 and ’97 cars.
Williams has updated the look of its FW46 with a switch from Heritage Navy Blue to New Era Williams, while the livery also features a red and white pinstripe to honour the likes of the 1985 FW10 and the 1997 title-winning FW19 guided to glory by Canadian Jacques Villeneuve.
Williams slumped to the foot of the Constructors’ Championship for the fourth time in five seasons upon F1’s switch back to ground effect machinery in 2022.
However, Williams sustained a much-improved campaign last term, the first under the stewardship of the former long-serving Mercedes Strategy Director James Vowles.
Williams maximised its opportunities, particularly at low-downforce venues, to accumulate 28 points in total, clinching its best finish since 2017 with seventh place.
Having opted to introduce just one upgrade package throughout last season, Williams is hopeful of continuing to climb the order with a more all-rounded FW46 challenger.
As Vowles attempts to restore Williams to its previous glories, the British outfit welcomed Pat Fry into the role of Chief Technical Officer last year after he departed Alpine.
“It is a significant milestone to unveil the 2024 livery at an iconic location in New York City, said Vowles.
“The FW46 has been the focus of the team for many months and there is still a tremendous effort going in from everyone at Grove to deliver our challenger for this year.
“As we look to build on the momentum from last season, we have a driver line-up in Alex and Logan that is capable of consistently fighting for points while helping lead our development for the future.
“Since joining Williams Racing a year ago, I’ve seen this team pull together to overcome a number of challenges and claim seventh in the Constructors’ Championship, which meant a great deal for everyone involved. We’ve also shown the world that we’re building the foundations for moving forward.
“We’ll continue to strengthen the team both on and off the track through improvements to our infrastructure, investing in our people, and attracting fantastic new partners like Komatsu.
“Of course, there’s still a long way to go on this journey together but I know our fans, partners and everyone at Grove HQ is pushing as one to create new history for this iconic team. It will take time, but everyone’s support is integral to help drive us towards success in the years to come. I’m looking forward to seeing what this season holds for us.”
Like the other nine teams, Williams has retained the same driver line-up, with Alex Albon partnering Logan Sargeant, who did enough to earn a sophomore season in F1.
The American failed to out-qualify his team-mate across the 22 rounds in 2023 and contributed only a solitary point, which arrived at one of his home races in Austin.
Meanwhile, Albon continued his impressive revival and has now been earmarked as a front-running candidate to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025.
Along with Sargeant, the Anglo-Thai racer is one of 13 drivers on the grid who will be out of contract at the end of the year, placing an emphasis on Williams to maintain its ascent.
“Coming off the back of a very positive year we’re hoping to build on our progress into 2024, working hard to make some good steps forward in performance,” Albon addressed.
“We’ve asked a lot of the team and the factory to get this car where it needs to be, and we’ve also slightly changed the philosophy of the car, so I’m interested to see if we can improve some of the characteristics it has historically had.
“It will require an adjustment in driving style but I’m confident it will be a change for the better.”
Sargeant added: “After unveiling this great livery I’m now itching to get behind the wheel of the FW46 and keep developing as a driver.
“I’ve had a productive off season that has allowed me to prepare both physically and mentally for the year ahead.
“Taking the time to properly reflect on my rookie season, there’s been a lot of lessons learned and experience gained that can only benefit me as I enter this new season.
“I know my goals this year. I’ll be looking to build on the progress I’ve made since being a part of the Williams Racing family. I intend to help contribute more to the team’s success.
“Everyone at Grove has been working tirelessly to deliver the FW46 over the winter break.
“I can’t thank them enough for their hard work and the support they’ve given me. Hopefully we can achieve some great results together in 2024.”
Joining Komatsu as a new partner is data platform provider VAST Data and the likes of PUMA and THG’s Myprotein and Ingenuity brands feature after signing deals with Williams in the latter half of 2023.
Hiroyuki Ogawa, CEO and President of Komatsu, said: “Komatsu and Williams Racing have shared values around innovation and the development of our people, and through our partnership we look forward to Creating Value Together, both on and off the track.
“Our partnership with Williams Racing is aligned with Komatsu’s mission to create value through manufacturing and technology innovations to empower a sustainable future where people, businesses and our planet can thrive together.”
Upon the launch of the FW46, Williams also paid tribute to its Driver Academy roster, which includes Formula 2’s Zak O’Sullivan and Franco Colapinto, Formula 3’s Luke Browning, F1 Academy Rookie Lia Block, Formula Regional European Championship competitor Alessandro Giusti and Karters Oleksandr ‘Sasha’ Bondarev and Sara Matsui.
Multiple W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick also remains part of the Williams Academy setup and the team confirmed that the British driver will serve as an F1 Academy Advisor to Block whilst simultaneously campaigning a second season in the Indy NXT series.
