Williams has unveiled its 2018 Formula 1 car during a ceremony in London on Thursday evening and announced that its reserve driver Robert Kubica will take part in three practice sessions in 2018.
The car, which features the new, mandatory halo device, is styled almost identically livery-wise to the last four years with Williams’ now trademark Martini branding. The halo is painted white to fall in-line with the rest of the livery but features more black on the livery than its predecessor on the side-pods and front wing.
The FW41 is the first work of new Chief Technical Officer Paddy Lowe and he is hoping for a major step-up in aerodynamic performance akin to his prior successes at McLaren and Mercedes.
The car also features the logos of new sponsors, with many being there due to the recruitment of Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin over the off-season. The 22-year-old rookie will join forces with 19-year-old Canadian Lance Stroll who will enter his second season in F1.
F1 race-winner Robert Kubica will serve as reserve driver for the 2018 season as he looks to make a full comeback to F1 after a seven-year absence following a near-fatal rally accident that he suffered just before the 2011 campaign.
Kubica will participate in three first practice session in Spain, Austria and at one other yet to be confirmed grand prix.
Williams will hope the FW41 will be a strong contender in 2018 after finishing fifth in last year’s constructors’ standings. It will face fierce competition from an ever-improving Renault outfit and a McLaren team that has broken free from the shackles of its Honda partnership.
