Williams has become the third F1 team to reveal its 2023 livery in a season launch event, which also saw thew announcement of a new sponsorship deal with Gulf.
This year’s updated paint scheme was unveiled on a show car a week before its 2023 FW45 is due to hit the track for a shakedown ahead of testing in Bahrain.
Kudos to Williams and Mercedes. It’s been the off-season and therefore there are fewer opportunities to bump into F1 team members and get whispers of what’s going on, but the…
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The new livery is an evolution of last year’s design; the team has not adopted the blue and orange Gulf colours, which only appear in new sponsorship decals.
Alex Albon and rookie signing Logan Sargeant were on hand during the launch, with the default cautious optimism ahead of the new season.
“It’s hard to say where we’re going to be but you’ll see,” said Albon. “[The new car] looks different. It looks faster. It’s not going to be easy but we were only missing a few tenths [last year]. If we can find them then we can hopefully score more points.”
As expected, new boss James Vowles wasn’t there, as the former Mercedes startegy director doesn’t start at the team until February 20, to replace the ousted Jost Capito.
“It seems like James really wants this role and he’s very motivated to push this team along and see where he can put it towards,” added Albon. “He’s obviously carrying a lot of experience from Mercedes. I feel we are going to take that with both hands and try and look at the areas where a top team like them… what are they doing differently to us and how can we adapt and make quick progress?”
Williams was the third team to launch its new 2023 livery
2022: An unflattering scoreline?
Albon was often threatening the top ten positions but points finishes were too rare
Clive Rose/F1 via Getty Images
Last year brought one of the biggest regulations overhaul in recent history, bringing the opportunity of a fresh start for all teams. It brought the opportunity for for a shake-up in the performance order.
It was a golden opportunity for Williams to escape from the back of the grid but, after Mercedes signed its star driver George Russell, who had scored 16 of its 23 points the season prior, Jost Capito’s team once again struggled to find the pace of the teams further up the grid.
Albon replaced Russell and was impressive on his return to Formula 1, scoring points on three separate occasions. The highlight came in Australia, where he pitted just once — on the final lap — finishing tenth by making his hard tyres last nearly the full race distance. He also held off opponents in both Miami and Belgium, finishing ninth and 10th respectively.
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Team-mate Nicholas Latifi raced his third and final season in Formula 1. The Canadian finished bottom of the drivers’ standings (discounting Nico Hülkenberg who made reserve appearances) for the second time in his F1 career, scoring points once in Japan when his gamble to pit for intermediate tyres paid off.
Despite scoring just eight points in the standings – around 30 points off its nearest competitors in Haas and AlphaTauri – Williams was able to show some strengths over the season. The Mercedes-powered car had tremendous straightline speed, and Albon in particular was very often sniffing around the points in 11th, 12th, or 13th.
Not only would he reach Q2 after just one practice session in the FW44, but he would finish in ninth position on Sunday to score points on his F1 debut – a remarkable achievement for both the team and the Dutchman.
2023: New Beginnings?
Logan Sargeant joins Williams alongside Albon for 2023
Williams Racing
This new season once again sees movement at the top of the hierarchy for Williams. After 2 years, it has parted ways with team principal Jost Capito and technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison.
Capito and Demaison joined in 2020 following the Dorilton takeover of the team, but there has been discontent behind the scenes. New boss James Vowles, signed from Mercedes, has plenty of work to do if Williams really is to win again.
Also joining the team is American rookie Logan Sargeant, who replaces Nicholas Latifi after a strong showing in F2. Albon and Sargeant certainly make for a young, exciting pairing, both attracting plenty of international interest too – Albon will continue to gain support from Thailand, while Sargeant brings a huge bonus of being the first full-time American driver on the grid since 2015. Support for F1 continues to grow in the US, which will host three races this year.
Given the disappointment of 2022, the only way for Williams now is up – it’s unlikely however this will come immediately, and 2023 may be another year of struggle for the outfit as they start their small steps with the new blood in the team.
Williams’ 2023 F1 Driver line-up
Alex Albon
Logan Sargeant
Albon will once again lead for Williams following an impressive return to F1 last season. The former Red Bull and Toro Rosso driver has scored two podiums in his time, and while he might not add to that this season, will look to score points and help develop the car again in 2023.
Sargeant replaces Nicholas Latifi going into 2023, after securing the required Superlicence points in 2022. The 22-year-old joined the Williams Driver Academy in 2021, which saw him progress to Formula 2 last season. He finished a solid fourth in the championship in his rookie F2 year, which included two victories. The American brings extra interest both on and off the track for the team, and has a strong team-mate to measure himself against.
Williams key personnel
Board Members: Matthew Savage and James Matthews
Matthew Savage is the chairman of Dorilton Capital, the American investment firm who took over Williams in 2020.
His official role within Williams is unclear but he often comments on big moves within the team and appears to play a key part in decision making. He and hedge fund manager James Matthews, a former racing driver best known as the husband of Pippa Middleton, the Princess of Wales’ sister, are the only two board members listed by Williams
Team Principal: James Vowles
After over a decade with Mercedes in various roles, most recently motorsport strategy director, Vowles makes the move to Williams as team principal.
He has been instrumental in the success of Mercedes since its inception in 2010, and will look to try and replicate that formula with Williams, starting on February 20. A highly respected figure in Formula 1, he also managed the strategy that saw Brawn win the drivers’ and constructors’ title in 2009.
In this case, Mercedes’ loss is most definitely Williams’ gain, and it will be interesting to see how he takes to this new role within a team.
As of now, Williams is without a technical director following the departure of Demaison.
