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FIRST LOOK: Williams reveal new livery ‘inspired by all-conquering cars of the 80s and 90s’
Williams have unveiled their new car for 2021, with the iconic British squad saying the all-new livery for the FW43B "captures the spirit of the team’s past".
After more than 40 years under the stewardship of founder Sir Frank Williams, the team was sold last year to investment firm Dorilton Capital, who are now embarking on their first full season in charge.
But the new owners are in no hurry to move on from the team's hugely successful past when it comes to the look of the FW43B, which, as per the regulations brought in to help teams cope with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, will carry over a lot of parts from last year's FW43.
READ MORE: Williams carry out Silverstone shakedown of 2021 challenger, the FW43B
"The team’s new look captures the spirit of the team’s past, the present transformation and its drive to future ambitions as it heads into its first full season of ownership under Dorilton Capital," the team said in a statement on Friday.
"Whilst evolutionary on the technical side due to the regulations, hence the designation FW43B as opposed to the FW44, the 2021 car will race with a dramatic new visual identity sporting a livery inspired by Williams’ all-conquering cars of the 1980s and 1990s, combining blues, white and yellow accents."
Speaking for the first time as CEO of Williams Racing, Jost Capito said: “Williams Racing is a sporting icon, and a team that has forged a reputation of success through sheer determination and grit intertwined with innovation, passionate and skilful race-craft and an absolute desire to win.
"Highs and lows are typical in any long-established sporting brand’s journey and historic success can be a strong motivator, but it cannot be relied upon to define future success in the modern era of Formula One.
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“Therefore, we have created a fresh new livery for the 2021 car; one that acknowledges our incredible past and retains the spirit, drive and motivation that remains at the core of Williams’ DNA yet looks to the future and signposts our long-term ambition to return to the front of the grid.
"Whilst we are just starting out on this journey and there is still a lot of work to do, we are happy to see momentum in the right direction and look forward to continuing that progress on track this season.”
The new car – which has already completed a shakedown run at Silverstone – will be raced again this season by British driver George Russell and Canadian Nicholas Latifi.
Simon Roberts, who took over as Team Principal, initially on an interim basis following the departure of Sir Frank and Claire Williams last year, will continue in that role this year, while former Williams driver and 2009 World Champion Jenson Button has also rejoined the team as a Senior Advisor.
Williams announced earlier this week that Jack Aitken – who made his F1 debut in last year's Sakhir Grand Prix while standing in for Russell, who in turn was subbing in for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes – is being retained as reserve driver, while W Series racer Jamie Chadwick is also being kept on in a development role.
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