F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Williams modifies FW42 for Melbourne to ensure car's legality

Williams has tweaked the front-suspension and mirror design of its new-spec FW42 ahead of next week's Australian Grand Prix after receiving a briefing from the FIA on the car's legality.

Upon the FW42's belated roll-out in Barcelona, the governing body's representatives noted that the car's front suspension included a thin element running along the lower wishbone.

Formula 1's technical regulations allow for six suspension components: four wishbone elements, one pushrod and one steering arm.

The added lower element is thus a seventh - and illegal - component which Williams will remove for Melbourne.

Furthermore, the FIA frowned upon the FW42's unusual curved mirror design as it appeared in pre-season testing, and has compelled the team to change the layout for next week's season-opening race.

As if Williams didn't have enough problems to contend with already following its troubled start to its season and the departure of its technical director Paddy Lowe...

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Michael Delaney

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