Mid-Season Review Template and Guide 
Introduction
After a disastrous 2013 season only scoring five championship points. Williams went into the 2014 season hoping for better. 2014 welcomed major changes to the technical regulations which would inevitably change the grid’s running order. For 2014, Williams switched to the Mercedes power unit after being supplied by Renault for the previous two season. Williams retained Valtteri Bottas for 2014 after impressing in his rookie season. Most notably, qualifying third at the 2013 Canadian Grand Prix. Pastor Maldonado left the team for Lotus allowing Felipe Massa to join Williams for 2014.
From the first test in Jerez, it was apparent Williams had made significant steps over the winter and looked to be the nearest challenger to the Mercedes who were clearly the quickest team. Despite having a quick car, the team failed to capitalise on their performance advantage. The Williams struggled in the wet/changeable conditions which highlighted the flaws of their 2014 challenger. Despite a disappointing qualifying, Bottas recovered to fifth after clipping the wall and causing a puncture on the right rear tyre on lap eleven. Felipe Massa was taken out on the opening lap by Kamui Kobayashi.
Both cars failed to make it into the final part of qualifying in Malaysia. Williams came under scrutiny at this race as they asked Felipe Massa to move over for Bottas who had been marginally quicker as the Brazilian was unable to pass Button in sixth. Massa ignored the team order and came home seventh ahead of Bottas. The team ultimately had a disappointing weekend despite having a quick car in dry conditions.
There was no reason to celebrate at Spain and Monaco as the team only scored sixteen points in these two races. In Canada, Williams were back on form as they qualified fourth and fifth behind the two Mercedes and Sebastian Vettel. Massa had an opportunity to win the race however was stuck behind teammate Bottas for several laps. Massa caught up to the back of Vettel but struggled to pass eventually costing the Brazilian a chance of winning. On the final lap, in an overtaking attempt Massa’s front right tyre collided with the back of Perez’s car, causing them both to crash into the barriers at high-speed.
Williams’ best race came at the Austrian Grand Prix where they locked-out the front row in qualifying and finished third and fourth in the race. This followed two more podiums at Silverstone and Hockenheim courtesy of Bottas who continued to impress in his second season in Formula One.
Massa’s form picked up in the second half of the season where he finished on the podium in Italy with Bottas coming home in fifth. A fifth in Singapore followed by a solid points finish in Suzuka saw the team move ahead of Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship. Bottas scored his fifth podium of the season in Sochi by finishing third whilst Felipe Massa ended his season with a podium at his home race in Brazil and a second place in Abu Dhabi. A sixty-six points haul in the season finale in Abu Dhabi saw Williams secure third in the Constructors’ Championship behind Mercedes and Red Bull.
Felipe Massa – 134 points/ 7th in the Drivers’ Championship
Massa’s second half of the season was nothing short of impressive. Three podiums with a fantastic second place at Abu Dhabi, finishing only two seconds behind race winner and eventual world champion Lewis Hamilton. Massa has always had speed, but needs to be more consistent and try and avoid incidents such as Hockenheim and Canada – arguably both were not his fault however it does take two to tango.
Valtteri Bottas – 186 points/ 4th in the Drivers’ Championship
A future world champion according to many. The 24-year old Finn has impressed throughout this season. Not only he has the raw pace, he has the ability to overtake and defend under pressure which has been demonstrated on numerous occasions this season. Six podium finishes with several front-row starts shows Valtteri Bottas is one to watch in 2015. More often than not he out qualified Massa however they were closer in the race. It will be an intriguing battle next season between the duo.
. ——————————————————————————————
Aim for around 700-900 words.
The idea is to have ALL mid-season reviews’ to look the same, once you have completed your review, then save it is as a draft as we plan to post them throughout the break in order of the Constructors’ Championship.
Schedule
(29th July) Manor – Connor
(2nd August) McLaren – Rob
(2nd August) Toro Rosso – James
(4th August) Sauber – Connor
(6th August)Lotus – Fran
(8th August)Force India – Jordan
(10th August)Red Bull – Michael
(12th August)Williams – Chris
(14th August)Ferrari – Fran
(16th August) Mercedes -Michelle
