Williams BMW unveiled an all-new car, the FW25, in Barcelona on Friday. Its engine is reportedly the lightest and most powerful powerplant ever produced by BMW.
Williams BMW unveiled an all-new car, the FW25, in Barcelona on Friday. Its engine is reportedly the lightest and most powerful powerplant ever produced by BMW.
Gavin Fisher penned the FW25, which can be seen here with its dramatic needle-shaped nose section. According to the team, the designer carried over very little of last year’s FW24.
Williams BMW technical director Patrick Head said: “The chassis derives little from previous cars.
”Last year our chassis was a model of reliability, but there was still room for improvement particularly on the aerodynamic front. That’s why the FW25 is a completely new car,” he added.
BMW Motorsport has built the P83 engine to complement the chassis Williams hopes will provide stiff resistance to Ferrari in the 2003 season.
“It’s based on previous engines,” said BMW Motorsport director Dr Mario Theissen, “but there’s a bit less weight and a lower centre of gravity. In addition, it produces more revs and more power.”
“We were the first to test our new engine on the track, and we were even earlier than last year,” said Theissen. To this BMW Motorsport boss Gerhard Berger added: “That’s because we want to pick up from where we left off in terms of our qualifying performance in 2002, especially under the new regulations for a single timed lap.
“But for the 2003 season we have firmly resolved to claim more wins and podium places,” Berger added.
Meanwhile, Williams BMW drivers Juan-Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher have reserved final judgement until the FW25 is tested for the first time this weekend.
“It looks really good,” said Montoya. “Things sound promising, but there are always big question marks until we hit the tracks. I believe we have raised the game quite a lot, which was needed. The most important thing is getting the car balanced, but it looks pretty good so far.”
Schumacher said: “There are always a lot of expectations with a new car, but we’re going to have to wait and see over the next few days. There are a lot of things to work through, but we have high expectations.”