Williams unveil the FW34

Senna & Maldonardo with the new FW34

Hello Hello Racers,

Another hour, another new launch it seems – Im exhausted keeping up!

Williams launched their FW34 in Jerez yesterday.

After a horrendous year in 2011, Williams are hoping that with a new driver in Bruno Senna, and switching from the Cosworth engine to Renault may boost them to a better year in 2012.

Of course, its got the stepped nose and a new paint job. Same colours with the blue and white but it seems they have gone for a more charcoal blue, rather than the obvious navy blue of last year.

FW34 in action. Jerez

As always, here are the tech spec’s – thanks to http://www.williamsf1.com/car/technical-spec/

 

Chassis construction	Monocoque construction Laminated from carbon epoxy and honeycomb composite structure, surpassing FIA impact and strength requirements
Front suspension	Carbon fibre double wishbone arrangement, with composite toelink and pushrod activated springs and anti-roll bar
Rear suspension	Double wishbone and pullrod activated springs and anti-roll bar
Transmission	Williams F1 seven speed seamless sequential semi-automatic shift plus reverse gear. Gear selection electro-hydraulically actuated
Clutch	Carbon multi-plate
Dampers	Williams F1
Wheels	RAYS forged magnesium
Tyres	Pirelli, Fronts: 325mm wide, Rears: 375mm wide
Brake system	AP 6 piston callipers all round, carbon discs and pads
Steering	Williams F1 power assisted rack and pinion
Fuel system	ATL Kevlar-reinforced rubber bladder
Electronic systems	FIA SECU standard electronic control unit
Cooling system	Aluminium  Oil, Water, KERS, and gearbox radiators
Cockpit	Driver six point safety harness with 75mm shoulder straps & HANS system, removable anatomically formed carbon fibre seat covered in Alcantara
Motive power	Motive power: Renault  2.4L V8, 90° V angle engine, pneumatic valve train. Fuel and lubricants by Total. High energy inductive ignition system. Engine materials include block and pistons in aluminium alloy, crankshaft in Nitrided alloy steel with tungsten alloy counterweights, connecting rods in titanium alloy.
Dimensions & weight	Weight: FIA Minimum Wheelbase: FIA Maximum Overall length: 5000mm Overall height: 950mm Overall width: 1800mm

 

I hope the change in engine, plus the injection of Bruno Senna can lift the team to a better standing for the 2012 season.

 

Keep Racing,

Vroom Vroom

 

Bruno Senna Confirmed for Williams in 2012

Its official. Another Senna for Williams. Congratulations to Bruno Senna

Hi Racers

Finally! Its official. Bruno Senna has been confirmed to be racing for Williams, after signing an initial year contract with the iconic team that his uncle, Ayrton Senna was a driver.

In the official statement at williamsf1.com Senna adds:

“I feel very privileged that Williams has selected me as one of their race drivers. The team has a great heritage and I hope I can help write a good chapter in their history. The evaluation process has been intense and methodical but the time I have spent in the factory has demonstrated that the team has great people and all the resources needed to achieve better things this season”

Ayrton driving for Williams. Brazil 1994

“It will be very interesting to drive for a team that my uncle has driven for, particularly as quite a few of the people here actually worked with Ayrton. Hopefully we can bring back some memories and create some great new ones too. I also want to get some good results in return for the support my country has given me to help get me to this position today. I am very proud to be Brazilian and more motivated than ever to demonstrate what I can do. Ever since I first sat in a go-kart I never wanted to do anything else.” 

For many fans of the Senna name, this is a really exciting time. Senna proved himself as a stable rookie in the 2011 season, and I am glad he has secured himself a place in the 2012 grid.

You can follow Bruno on twitter: @BSenna

After Williams lost their 4.5M Euro sponsorship deal with T&T, they needed a high sponsorship driver to fill the void. Senna certainly does that, bringing with him almost 14 Million Euro in Brazilian Sponsorship with him to the team.

However, Senna himself will only be earning around 200-250,000 EURO for his year of driving this year. That is a guess, using Maldonardo, his team mate as a comparison (200K EURO)  and also what he was being paid at HRT (150K EURO). As long as he is on the up and up, thats all he can ask for, yes?

There is, however, an element of sadness to see Rubens Barichello go. After 19 years racing in Formula 1, we are losing an iconic name from the track. Many are already hoping that Rubens continues to be a name in F1, with suggestions of pit lane reports, or even a commentating role in the future. Whatever happens for him, I wish him all the best.

Now, there is only one grid position left for 2012 for HRT. Lets hope it isn’t much longer?

On another note – Red Bull have officially announced that their challenger Formula 1 car for the 2012 season will be released on 6th Feb… Keep your eyes peeled!

Read the official statement and countdown here:

http://www.redbullracing.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Article/RB8-Unveiled-On-February-6-021243150755392

Keep Racing

Vroom Vroom