Williams has launched its new car for the 2023 F1 world championship. It’s called the FW45, sticking to the naming lineage Williams has maintained since its first season under legendary founder Frank Williams.
This season also sees Williams introduce Gulf as a new sponsor but sadly that doesn't mean the return of those iconic colours to the F1 grid.
Despite that, the livery is a fresh evolution of last year’s look, with a new matt finish. Our favourite element is the Duracell battery design incorporated into the roll hoop.
Also new for Williams in 2023 is F2 graduate Logan Sargeant, who will make his debut for the team at the Bahrain Grand Prix in March. The young American steps into Nicholas Latifi’s vacated seat and will come up against team leader Alex Albon, as the team tries desperately to climb back into the midfield following another season at the bottom of the constructors’ championship.
Speaking on the launch, Albon said: “It’s more about us two trying to fight more up towards the midfield, working together and seeing what we can do.”
It does at least look as though some much needed funding is finally being brought into the team. Having sniped Gulf from McLaren, and with more names on the car than have been present for a long time, this has the appearance of a team on the up.
Other changes at Williams include the arrival of former Mercedes Chief Strategist James Vowles as Team Principal as he replaces Jost Capito at the helm.
This remains a only a ‘season launch’ for now, so the car on show here will be somewhat different from the final product that turns up to testing and the first round of the 2023 season.
Williams
F1
Formula 1
F1 2023
FW45