Williams FW33 Launch

[prisonermonkeys]

One of today's four launches is the Williams FW33. Sort of. Officially, this isn't a launch at all - there will not be an official presentation of the car until the final livery has been decided. The car will not be presented to the media, it will simply take to the circuit. You can, however, expect that images will emerge. The first of which is these, courtest of Rubens Barrichello:

The interim livery (or at least part of it), complete with retro numbering. I hope they keep that on the final livery.

 

[YellowG1]

I like it. Now explain to me again why they dumped Hulkenberg...

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Because they were in a position where if they continued with Hulkenberg, they were in danger of collapsing. They've lost four major sponsors at once: RBS, who announced they were leaving because they did not weather the recession too well; Philips, who decided against renewing their contract; AirAsia, who moved over to Team Lotus; and McGregor, who toyed with retaining their deal if Williams took on a driver they sponsored - like Giedo van der Garde - but ultimately decided against it. In Maldonado, they get a five-year deal with PDVSA that is not dependent upon Maldonado staying with the team. Even that is not enough to secure their future, because they're toying with sending the company public. Nico Hulkenberg, on the other hand, has repeatedly said that he will not bring any sponsors to the team, or to any other team that offered him a contract. Williams simply couldn't afford to keep him, so thy cut him loose.

Maybe they could have survived with Hulkenberg. Maybe the FW33 will actually live up to what the team have been promising but never delivering since 2005 and actually win a race. And maybe that will be enough to attract new sponsors to the team. But then again, maybe it won't. Frank Williams clearly didn't want to bank thirty years' of history on the idea that a rookie driver might be able to upset the established order in Formula 1. I can't blame him, either. Between Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso, Webber, Button, Massa, Kubica, Rosberg and Schumacher, they are not odds that I'd play.

 

[RTSolvalou]

I take it they still have ORIS, lol.

Looking forward to their 2011 livery because 2010's was the pits.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

First image

They should just run this for the rest of the year.

 

[niky]

Am I weird in that I like their interim colors more than their standard blue and white?

Will be nice seeing some different liveries on the track this year.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Am I weird in that I like their interim colors more than their standard blue and white?

No. I like it, too. Most of Williams' test liveries have been better than the final product. The only break is in the rear wing, which is a white panel with dark blue decals.

It's a very gaunt-looking car. I can't help but look at it and think of skin that has been stretched tightly over bone. There's not an ounce of fat on it, but there's not much meat, either. It's like a skinny dog.

 

[RTSolvalou]

Love the hammerhead nose

 

[Ardius]

Best shot of this car:

Compare with the Red Bull:

That is by far the most impressive rear-end I have ever seen, screw Ferrari and Red Bull . Look how short the bodywork is up to the rear suspension!

 

[prisonermonkeys]

According to a couple of Twitter feeds, Williams will be running a "retro" livery in 2011. Read into that what you will ...

 

[J-PaP]

Something like this would be great.

 

[Stevisiov]

Something like this would be great.

I'm not convinced this would meet regulations.

 

[Muzaffar]

According to a couple of Twitter feeds, Williams will be running a "retro" livery in 2011. Read into that what you will ...

​

I'm not convinced this would meet regulations.

and neither are Williams other old livery...

 

[Lee]

I think the white rear wing plate may give a little idea of this;

👍

 

[Matti_Dude]

Why do all of the cars seem to have this tiny rear end this year? It looks like there is only half a car there, and instead of the rest we are left with this flat rectangle at the bottom.

 

[NapoleonMikey]

Im assuming its because of the ban on the double diffuser. No longer do they have the whole rear end designed around that, creating a much tighter back end.

 

[PeterJB]

The car looks like its been partially eaten with such lack of 'booty!

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Something like this would be great.

Except none of their sponsors are yellow. With Lotus and Renault already going down the retro path, it would be pointless for Williams to do so as well. As good as the Renault in particular looks, exact re-creations should stay in the past.

 

[Ardius]

http://www.pastormaldonado.com/en/partners.php

He appears to have several personal sponsors that would provide yellow. Depends how much the Venezuelan government is pitching in.
Considering three of the "classic" Williams liveries include yellow, there aren't many alternative options we can really consider.
I doubt its going to be an early-80s Williams livery, as they were more white and green.

This all assumes they need a sponsor for yellow in the first place. Considering the Camel logos were blue, they don't necessarily need someone who is happy to be displayed in yellow. And the Rothmans livery is simply gold stripes, which doesn't really affect the sponsorship areas so much.

Anyway, this is Williams were talking about. You know, the team that for the past 10 years has forced sponsors to fit in with blue and white? Why would it suddenly be a problem to have a tad of yellow?

 

[J-PaP]

Except none of their sponsors are yellow. With Lotus and Renault already going down the retro path, it would be pointless for Williams to do so as well. As good as the Renault in particular looks, exact re-creations should stay in the past.

Just because none of the sponsors are yellow doesn't mean it can't be part of the livery. I don't think any of Renault's sponsors are gold and that didn't stop them making almost every sponsor gold on their car. Though I agree unless it is a continuing theme from the past a livery shouldn't be bought back to try re-associate a team to a time they were once successful. Especially when the new version is a disaster like Renault's JPS attempt.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I still think an FW14 livery is a bad idea. The FW14 was a brilliant car. Everything Williams has produced since 2005, however, has been stunning in its mediocrity.

 

[Ardius]

Doesn't stop us Williams-fans getting our hopes up, year in, year out. This year will be our year surely .

 

[prisonermonkeys]

That's what David Coulthard said.

But at least Williams actualy delivered on their promise of an aggressive car this year.

 

[Peter]

I still think an FW14 livery is a bad idea. The FW14 was a brilliant car. Everything Williams has produced since 2005, however, has been stunning in its mediocrity.

Mediocrity? I know, they haven't changed much at all, but the blue and white looks pretty good.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

No, I mean the FW14 itself was a good car. Not just the livery; the whole thing. But every car Williams has produced since 2005 has bounced between the upper and lower midfield. They haven't managed to have two consistent seasons back to back. So is painting a poor car like a famour one really the best way to pay tribute to said famous car?

 

[Peter]

I guess it would attract sponsors a bit. Think of 1Malaysia, they didn't go with the Lotus name solely for a revival, it attracts sponsors. Not exactly a proper comparison, but, you get my drift?




Also, is F1Rejects down? I can't seem to get on...

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Also, is F1Rejects down? I can't seem to get on...

I don't know, and I don't rightly care. You were told ot to discuss GTP matters over there; the same applies here.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

This is probably the most interesting car out of the ones shown.

Also, is F1Rejects down? I can't seem to get on...

You can use this website to check.

 

[Ardius]

That's what David Coulthard said.

But at least Williams actualy delivered on their promise of an aggressive car this year.

Indeed, is someone eating their own words there?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Indeed, is someone eating their own words there?

Williams have been talking up their "aggressive design philosophy" since 2005. In seven years, this has been the first car that has actually made good on said promise. Words are not being eaten at all.