Carlos Sainz revealed that Williams’ “bold” approach to unveiling its 2025 Formula 1 car was “night and day” compared to the setbacks the team endured 12 months ago.
The Grove-based squad emerged as the second side to showcase its 2025 machine last Friday as the FW47, sporting a camo design, ran in a shakedown at Silverstone.
Williams being able to turn laps at this stage represented a complete contrast to the problems that plagued its preparations with the FW46 in the run-up to the 2024 season.
The British squad’s decision to commit to a revamped car concept prompted parts to be assembled late, culminating in numerous components starting the season overweight.
However, Williams has averted disaster on this occasion as the FW47 has been produced on time and to the weight limit two weeks before pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Sainz, who has moved to the team having departed Ferrari, believes that the milestone is a testament to the steps that Williams have taken since to improve its processes.
“First impressions, honestly, positive,” Sainz told media including Motorsport Week. “I think, most importantly, I think this is a good show of Williams’ progress.
“You know, I think, to be bold enough to prepare a test where all of our main partners, all of our partners are here, all the media is invited to see the first laps of the car, shows the trust that Williams has in their new tools to produce a car that is going to be here on time, is going to be working well like it did today, without any issues, and I think it’s a good sign.
“It’s a good showing to the outside world, and I think shows the progress that Williams is intending to do, so proud of the first day.”
Williams preparations ‘night and day’
Sainz has come in alongside Alex Albon, who has been with the team since this regulation set began in 2022 and witnessed the hardship that Williams has experienced.
When asked what the team had told him about the improvement in production this time around, Sainz responded: “According to Alex and James [Vowles], night and day.
“And that’s why I wanted to make an emphasis in today because do you think Williams 2024 would have been able to put a date like today and be confident enough to invite you all here and all of our big partners that we’ve recently announced to join us here? I don’t think so.
“And the fact that we are two weeks early of the test and all here and the car running and we’re acting like it’s normal, I think that’s good progress.”
Williams has overcome recent troubles
Albon believes the launch event, which included new title partner Atlassian, was designed to show the struggles that held Williams back are no longer prevalent now.
“I think more than anything, it just is a chance to show where the team have been and where we’re getting to,” he added. “I know that it’s a bit showbiz, but I do think that it’s great to see.
“We’ve pulled in some huge partners. Partners that are not only financial. there’s a technical element to them too. And so it’s great to have it.
“To have everyone in the room and really speaking about where we are, everyone’s cohesive in what they see in Williams and where we want to be. It’s a nice thing, as simple as that.
“The focus is still on here [at track], that’s for sure. But when I think about it, let’s look at last year. We had a car that we barely made the test.
“We were overweight. We were struggling around. We just about had two cars ready.
“This year, we’ve been able to do all of this. I know it’s maybe a little bit different, let’s say. But even in just an outlook in a year’s point of view, we’ve really transformed in that sense.”
Meanwhile, Williams boss Vowles, who is overseeing the team’s revival, expressed that he is heading into the upcoming season, his third at the helm, more at ease.
“For those of you who saw me at the beginning of last year, you’ll see I’m relaxed, we have a car out there, it ran like clockwork, and on time, and on the weight limit,” he expanded.
“That’s an example of the good output we’ve been doing, it’s a difference to where we were before.”
READ MORE – Williams sees ‘a world of difference’ in FW47 compared to 2024 F1 car
