Souce: ITV F1
Williams has unveiled its new FW31 chassis, which it hopes will launch it back into contention after a poor 2008 season.
The car was introduced to the press in the pit lane at the new Portimao circuit in Portugal, ahead of its first day of testing.
Although the team started 2008 strongly with a third place in Melbourne, its form then slumped, particularly on circuits that required strong aerodynamic performance.
Another podium in Singapore provided some consolation, but a final result of eighth in the constructors' championship was far from satisfactory for Frank Williams' once-dominant squad.
However Williams has reason to be optimistic for 2009, as it was one of the first teams to turn its attention to this year's rules as the expense of developing its 2008 car.
It has also chosen to develop its own unique flywheel-based Kinetic Energy Recovery System, rather than the battery devices favoured by the rest of the field.
Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima have been retained as race drivers, but it will be test driver Nico Hulkenberg who gets to put the first laps on the new car at Portimao today.
The car has been unveiled in a temporary winter testing livery, with the final 2009 colour scheme set to be presented next month.
The 2009-spec FW31 put Williams alongside Ferrari, McLaren and Toyota in 2009 development
Rosberg and Nakajima will be driving the 2009 car, that was lanched in a subdued style
Williams has unveiled its new FW31 chassis, which it hopes will launch it back into contention after a poor 2008 season.
The car was introduced to the press in the pit lane at the new Portimao circuit in Portugal, ahead of its first day of testing.
Although the team started 2008 strongly with a third place in Melbourne, its form then slumped, particularly on circuits that required strong aerodynamic performance.
Another podium in Singapore provided some consolation, but a final result of eighth in the constructors' championship was far from satisfactory for Frank Williams' once-dominant squad.
However Williams has reason to be optimistic for 2009, as it was one of the first teams to turn its attention to this year's rules as the expense of developing its 2008 car.
It has also chosen to develop its own unique flywheel-based Kinetic Energy Recovery System, rather than the battery devices favoured by the rest of the field.
Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima have been retained as race drivers, but it will be test driver Nico Hulkenberg who gets to put the first laps on the new car at Portimao today.
The car has been unveiled in a temporary winter testing livery, with the final 2009 colour scheme set to be presented next month.
The 2009-spec FW31 put Williams alongside Ferrari, McLaren and Toyota in 2009 development
Rosberg and Nakajima will be driving the 2009 car, that was lanched in a subdued style
