The Williams Formula 1 team has continued with its use of a pull-rod rear suspension on its 2024 challenger after deciding to not adopt revisions made by Mercedes.
A change of direction at Mercedes has seen a push-rod configuration introduced to the W15’s rear suspension layout, replicating the solution Red Bull has used.
Mounted higher on the car, a push-rod layout should offer aerodynamic advantages by maintaining cleaner airflow over the rear wing and car floor.
As Mercedes gearbox customers, Aston Martin and Williams were both expected to adopt the W15’s revised rear package.
However, it has emerged that the Grove-based outfit will instead continue to use Mercedes’ components from 2023 including last year’s gearbox and pull-rod suspension.
It’s understood that an agreement was reached jointly between Williams and Mercedes last year with the move mutually beneficial in the budget cap era.
Speaking at the launch of the FW46 earlier this month, James Vowles hinted at the deviation with his comments on the Mercedes gearbox fitted at the rear of the team’s latest challenger.
“The gearbox is supplied by Mercedes, and obviously I know it very well, for many, many years,” said Vowles.
“It’s a very reliable gearbox and it provides a good structure to work from. In terms of the significance to us, it’s just a known entity.
“Fundamentally, the gearbox isn’t the performance powerhouse that it used to be. It doesn’t make a tremendous amount of difference.
“It just defines not even the wheelbase, it just defines a little bit more where the positioning of the rear is and a little bit about the fuel cell.
“In terms of the rear suspension, there’s bits that we’re happy to talk about, but I’m going to save it for Bahrain, because there’s some interesting things to talk about where we’ve gone on rear suspension.”
