Williams is in a curious position in Formula 1’s current pecking order. It is easy to forget the near vertical development trajectory that took them from midfield minnows in 2013 to a 2014 campaign featuring nine podiums, along with a sensational front row lock-out to provide a real blast from the past.
Rather than continuing that forward momentum, Williams has gradually slipped back into midfield obscurity since that breakthrough 2014 campaign.
Deputy team principal Claire Williams, has recently offered an intriguing insight into the team’s recent shortfalls. “I think Formula 1 is an ever evolving road. People caught up [since 2014] and we didn’t do the development that we needed to do in a variety of different areas.
“You can see our weaknesses across aero and tyre management and we need to make sure we get a grip on those. The Mercedes engine supported our efforts in 2014 and 2015 but we can’t hide behind an engine, we need to back it up with a good chassis. There is a load of things
“There is a load of things that you could talk about. I’m not about to air our dirty laundry in public, we’ve just got to resolve them behind the scenes.”
The relative pecking order positions of Williams and Force India over the past four years tells the story. The stats don’t lie; Williams finished 165 points clear of Force India in 2014, while last season, Silverstone trumped Grove by 35 points. A swing of 195, with the numbers stacked against Williams once again this season. As stated, they have evidently been out-developed.
Adding to the intrigue is Williams’ reference to the Mercedes power unit.
Any team fortunate enough to be powered by the three-pointed star in 2014 enjoyed the fruits of what had been a hugely successful project at Brixworth. Mercedes had trounced Ferrari and Renaut in the power unit stakes and their customers benefitted hugely.
However, as technical regulations regarding the power train have remained static since the 2014 overhaul, the competition has caught up. The Mercedes is still widely regarded as the pick of the bunch but not by the margin that it once commanded.
According to Williams’ suggestion, though, the Mercedes unit – at least the one provided to its customers – has not been a driving force behind Williams’ performance since 2015.
Mercedes claim that their customers receive the latest specification of the power unit and while this is by no means denied here, the comments at least provide more fuel for the fire on that particular point of contention.
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