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Williams Launch FW35 Challenger In Spain

BARCELONA, Spain- In what is the final pre-season
launch for the upcoming 2013 season, Team Williams launched their FW 35
challenger shortly before the first test at the Circuit de Catalunya Tuesday
morning with many new items that have changed 80 percent in comparison to the
past year.

Leading the team in the drivers department in
Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado , who won his first grand prix last season right on
this very track. Joining him in his first season is Finn Valtteri Bottas, who
was the team’s tester last year. Replacing his position is Scottish pilot Susie
Wolff, who has spent the last few years on the German DTM circuit.

The new car now includes a new gearbox, radiators,
suspension, floors, exhaust, bodywork, a new nose and a significant reduction
of weight. Team manager Frank Williams, who has been the head of the Grove,
England based team since the beginning, believes that the new changes could
help the team achieve higher success.

“A group of talented people with good
imagination and plenty of courage have been working together to build the
Williams Renault FW35,” Williams said. “We will have to wait until
Australia to truly see what we have, but we believe it is step forward from last
year’s car which was also a very competitive vehicle. Pastor is a delightful
character who is a massively determined racer, whilst Valtteri is quieter but
still waters run deep and he is a highly gifted driver.

“Williams
has been at the top many times over the last 30 years. It’s the nature of the
sport to have ups and downs, but when we are down we always fight our way back.
I’m hoping that with the current team we have in place, our new FW35, the
combined talent of Pastor, Valtteri and Susie, and the continued support from
our partners; we will be in a position to challenge the very best.”

Designing
this year’s car is Mike Coughlan, who feels that this year’s entry is a huge
step up from its predecessors.

“Given
the rule stability over the winter, I’m pleased with the gains that we’ve been
able to make with this car,” Coughlan said. “It’s a better, more
refined Formula One car than the FW34 and I think everyone involved in the
project can feel proud of the work they’ve done.”

“The
Coanda effect is going to be a big thing for us. There’s been no rule
clarification concerning this area of the car, so we’ll work closely with
Renault to maximize the available gains. Use of the DRS is more restricted this
year, so we’ll take some resource away from that and focus on other
areas.”

Perhaps
after all the time changing the formation of the race car can give this team a chance to
challenge the stronger units for possible race wins and higher constructor
positions.

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