On the one hand, Williams’ revisions showed some huge promise in practice and qualifying – as Alex Albon put the team back in Q3.
As boss James Vowles explained: “We’re in a situation where that update is producing good results, and in a very tight midfield we’re able to put the car back into that Q3 position.
“That was also mirrored by a long run on Friday that again was positive. It had pulled clear of the midfield, and we were in a situation, in fact, at times, where our long run was overlaying with Ferrari, which is a very different situation to what we’ve been at the beginning the season.”
However, everything came crashing down on Saturday evening at Zandvoort when Williams discovered that an error with its own measurements had meant it had been running with a new floor that was outside the regulations.
While the unspecified issue that had made the floor too wide was an easy fix, and the upgrades ran in the race with a few subtle changes, having to start at the back of the field with both cars (thanks in part to Logan Sargeant’s practice crash) effectively meant the weekend was a write off.
But while the missed opportunity to score points will have been a frustration, the team will be eager to see whether the early promise shown at Zandvoort can follow through to the next races.
Here then is a run through of what has changed on the Williams, which is in effect a two-pronged attack of improved aerodynamic surfaces and weight-saving revisions.
Williams FW46 sidepod and floor comparison
Photo by: Uncredited
The most visual of the Williams alterations comes with a change in approach when it comes to its sidepod design.
The team is making the switch from an underbite-style inlet to an overbite extension panel and under slung inlet.
This follows in the footsteps of many of its competitors who have already made the switch, either at the start or during the season, to help unleash some aerodynamic freedoms, while retaining the required cooling performance.
In respect to the latter, the FW46 still has sizeable inlets beneath the new higher top lip of the sidepod.
The change in bodywork has also resulted in a less aggressive upper gully, whilst there’s a much larger undercut too.
This feeds rearward and around the sidepod’s flank, where the raised beltline exposes the narrower underbelly, which has also been reprofiled, albeit with a similar but ultimately more aggressive variant of the same geometries.
Alongside these changes, the edge of the floor and floor wing have also been modified, with the most visually apparent alteration being made to the upswept section of the edge wing.
This section is now more heavily cranked, whilst the separating strakes are much more defined and deeper than their predecessors.
Williams FW46 airbox detail
Photo by: Uncredited
The team has also busied itself with a weight reduction programme, with the roll hoop targeted as a means to help it meet its objectives.
It’s clear to see that the shape of the airbox has been altered, whilst the spars are also configured differently within.
While many of these changes clearly have an aerodynamic impact, it’s the weight saving that has also been a priority for Williams in delivering this upgrade.
As chief technical officer Pat Fry explained: “There’s some tiny detail changes on the aero shape around the shrouds and the ducting into the central radiator, but that’s all just chasing the weight out the car.
“It’s a reasonable amount lighter, which is a good thing. But we’re still a little bit overweight. We’ve got a few more updates coming later in the year, which will hopefully get us right down on the weight limit.”
