Williams Racing unveils new FW43B contender

©Williams

Williams Racing has revealed its new FW43B contender that will be raced this season by George Russell and teammate Nicholas Latifi.

The Grove-based outfit had planned a high-tech Augmented Reality rollout of a 3D model of its car for its fans through a special downloadable app, but unfortunately the application was hacked prior to today's launch.

A first look at the FW43B reveals a heavily-revised new blue base livery but one that currently features little sponsorship.

Like its rival contenders, the FW43B is based on last year's chassis, but includes the mandatory floor, bargeboard and brake duct changes as stipulated by this year's regulations.

Team launch gallery: Williams FW43B

The Mercedes-powered car is the first design produced under Williams' new ownership, with Dorilton Capital acquiring the team last summer from the Williams family.

Former VW motorsport boss and McLaren man Jost Capito is now at the helm of Williams while the outfit's day-to-day running has been entrusted to Simon Roberts.

Williams obviously aims to improve on its fortunes from the last two seasons which yielded but a single point in 38 races.

"Williams Racing is a sporting icon, and a team that has forged a reputation of success through sheer determination and grit intertwined with innovation, passionate and skillful race-craft and an absolute desire to win," Capito said.

"Highs and lows are typical in any long-established sporting brand's journey and historic success can be a strong motivator, but it cannot be relied upon to define future success in the modern era of Formula 1.

"Therefore, we have created a fresh new livery for the 2021 car; one that acknowledges our incredible past and retains the spirit, drive and motivation that remains at the core of Williams' DNA yet looks to the future and signposts our long-term ambition to return to the front of the grid.

"Whilst we are just starting out on this journey and there is still a lot of work to do, we are happy to see momentum in the right direction and look forward to continuing that progress on track this season."

As a reminder, the British team has recruited 2009 F1 world champion and former Williams charger Jenson Button is an advisor this season.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.