The Williams FW45 has undergone significant changes for the 2024 season in an attempt to make the car more competitive across a variety of circuits. While the car was known for its top speed in the previous year, this advantage has been sacrificed in favor of a more consistent performance overall. This shift has required driver Alex Albon to adjust his driving style, with a focus on overtaking in corners rather than relying on straight-line speed.
Challenges at Specific Tracks
Despite the efforts to improve the car’s performance, Albon has admitted that the Williams FW45 is not well-suited to certain tracks. For example, at Suzuka, Albon only managed to make it into Q2 and had to start from 14th on the grid. This indicates that there are still areas where the car is lacking compared to its competitors, particularly in sectors with longer, medium/high-speed corners.
Albon has highlighted that the car is struggling more in sector one due to the nature of the corners on certain tracks. Additionally, the decision to run with less downforce by opting for a skinnier wing setup has impacted the car’s straight-line speed. While this may offer some advantages during the race, Albon acknowledges that it presents challenges during qualifying and at tracks with abrasive tarmac.
During the qualifying session, Albon experienced a slide at Spoon corner, which impacted his lap time. Despite this, he maintained his position and attributed the slip to the track’s abrasive surface and the tendency for tires to overheat. This highlights the delicate balance drivers must strike between pushing for faster lap times and managing tire wear throughout the session.
Albon expressed mixed feelings about the team’s performance over the weekend, noting that they have been a bit on the backfoot. However, he remains encouraged by the update package introduced in Japan and the potential improvements it could bring. Testing different front wing configurations is part of the ongoing development process to fully understand the car’s performance and make necessary adjustments for future races.
The analysis of the Williams FW45’s performance in the 2024 season reveals both challenges and areas of progress. While the team has made changes to improve consistency and adapt to different circuits, there are still specific tracks where the car struggles. By carefully evaluating these challenges and making strategic updates, Williams can continue to refine their car’s performance and strive for better results in the competitive field of Formula 1.
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