Dark
Light
Dark
Light
Williams F1 Car Issues Unlocking the Wheel Lock-up Problem

Williams F1 Tackles 2023 Car Issues, Says Robson

30/01/2024

Addressing 2023’s challenges, Williams F1, led by Dave Robson, identified critical wheel lock-up issues. Their thorough analysis post-Bahrain revealed crucial aerodynamic factors impacting the FW45’s performance.

Williams F1 quickly understood the issues with its car in 2023, as explained by the head of performance, Dave Robson.

The team swiftly detected wheel lock-ups, then focused on understanding this recurring problem.

“Leaving Bahrain, we knew our limits, the tendency to lock the inner front wheel seemed quite high,” Robson stated.

“And it can be very costly, also somewhat dependent on the wind, a factor to which Williams remains particularly sensitive.”

“However, based on the Bahrain tests, we were able to produce some of the parts we had already designed, keeping this in mind. So, we saw steady improvement in the first few races, but it’s still a bit of an Achilles’ heel for us.”

Williams FW45 Struggles with Downforce Issues

But Williams struggled to pinpoint issues with the FW45, realizing that lack of downforce during braking was to blame: “Part of the problem is that we don’t exactly know what it is.”

“I think it’s, as always with these kinds of things, a combination of everything. We probably can’t put as much front aerodynamic downforce on the car at this stage as we would like.”

“There’s obviously a lot to gain from running a relatively stiff car and once you trigger that lock-up, it has an aerodynamic effect in itself, and you find yourself a bit in a spiral.”

“But I think it’s something we have a good handle on, and that’s what we’ve done over the last two years. We’ll see in February if we understand it or not. But we’ve taken some decent steps, I think, to try and improve it on next year’s car.”

Note: Williams has just announced the time for the unveiling of their new car next Monday, February 5th. It will take place at 9:40 AM in New York.

2024 F1 Official Presentation Dates

DateTeamEvent DescriptionLocation
2 FebruaryHaas F1VF-24 Launch (livery, online)Online
5 FebruaryWilliams F1FW46 LaunchNew York
5 FebruaryStake F1 TeamCar LaunchLondon
7 FebruaryAlpine F1A524 LaunchLocation TBD
8 FebruaryVisa Cash App RacingCar LaunchLas Vegas
11 FebruaryHaas F1VF-24 Shakedown
12 FebruaryAston Martin F1AMR24 LaunchSilverstone
13 FebruaryFerrariSF-24 LaunchMaranello
14 FebruaryMercedes F1W15 LaunchSilverstone
14 FebruaryMcLaren F1MCL38 LaunchLocation TBD
15 FebruaryRed Bull RacingRB20 LaunchLocation TBD

Williams F1 Car Issues 2024 : Unlocking the Wheel Lock-up Problem. Williams F1 Car Issues 2024 : Unlocking the Wheel Lock-up Problem

Go toTop