(Paris) Manufacturer Williams presented its new F1 single-seater for the 2022 season on Tuesday, two and a half months after the death of its founder, Frank Williams.
Posted at 12:52 p.m.
Sir Frank, who died on November 28 at the age of 79, had not been involved in the management of the team he had founded in the 1970s for several years and it was sold to the group of investors Dorilton Capital by his daughter Claire in 2020.
Having fallen to the bottom of the standings in recent years, Williams began a recovery last year, thanks in particular to British driver George Russell. The latter has now moved to Mercedes and will be replaced for the next season by Thai Alex Albon who had already driven for Red Bull in 2020. He will be alongside Canadian Nicholas Latifi, at Williams since 2020.
The FW44 unveiled on Tuesday sports the name of a new sponsor, Duracell batteries, and a dress of shaded blues with red facings. Above all, it responds to the new 2022 regulations which now favor ground effect over aerodynamic support in order to allow Formula 1 cars to overtake each other more easily.
“As we enter a new era in our sport, the FW44 exemplifies that transition to the future, but also the qualities that have made us who we are,” said Williams team boss German Jost Capito, on the occasion of the official presentation.
Four teams have yet to present their 2022 single-seater (Ferrari, Mercedes, Alpine and Alfa Romeo). The first pre-season tests are scheduled in Barcelona from February 23 to 25.