Team principal James Vowles recently disclosed that the 2024 Williams FW46 car has been running overweight, resulting in a substantial deficit of approximately 0.45 seconds per lap compared to other cars on the grid. This revelation is quite astonishing, especially considering that Williams had consistently claimed that the FW46 was fundamentally better than its predecessor.
The F1 regulations stipulate a minimum weight limit of 798 kg for the cars. The FW46 has been carrying around 15 kg more than this minimum weight, which translates to a lap time penalty of nearly half a second.
Vowles candidly admitted that Williams has started every season since 2019 with an overweight car. He said, “The car this year that we’ve been running is about four and a half tenths a lap slower, every lap, by the fact it is still overweight.
🚨 | Williams are an estimated 15kg OVERWEIGHT.
James Vowles admits the FW46 has a lot of excess weight:https://t.co/zQsPWqGf8O
— formularacers (@formularacers_) May 16, 2024
“If you go back now and look at your timesheets, and take four and a half tenths off, you have a realisation as to why Alex has been sat here frustrated, because I’ve muted him.
“I wanted to have the opportunity here to say this is what we did, and this is what we’re doing to fix it. What’s not of interest to me is what’s happened. It’s how we move forward from this point onwards.
Alex Albon Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension with Williams
As the 2024 Formula 1 season unfolds, Alex Albon has committed his future to the Williams Racing team. The London-born Thai driver, who previously faced uncertainty after losing his drive with Red Bull, has now secured a multi-year contract extension with Williams.
After a successful stint as a test and reserve driver for Red Bull, Albon found himself without a race seat in 2021. His departure from the Red Bull team left fans wondering about his next move.Williams, known for nurturing talent, offered Albon a lifeline. He joined the team for the 2022 season, replacing George Russell. Albon wasted no time in showcasing his skills, consistently delivering strong performances.
Williams driver Albon’s prowess truly shone in the 2023 season. Armed with an improved Williams FW45, he secured an impressive 27 points for the team, contributing significantly to their seventh-place finish in the constructors’ standings—their best result since 2017.Despite a challenging start to the 2024 season, Albon expressed unwavering confidence in Williams. He believes in the team’s long-term vision and the changes happening behind the scenes.
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