@stakef1team reveal striking #C44, @WilliamsRacing unveil #FW46. #F1

Stake F1 Team C44 (Sauber)

Stake F1 C44 Launch – Stake F1 Team have revealed their striking new black and fluro green liveried C44, which will be piloted by Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu in the upcoming 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season at a glitzy-launch event in the historic setting of London’s Guildhall.

The C44 features a stunning new black and fluro green livery defining the Hinwil based-outfit’s new era after departing from it’s previous title-sponsor Alfa Romeo. The car is the result of indefatigable team-work of hundreds of people back in it’s Hinwil factory.

The C44 is marked departure from it’s predecessor, the C43. Some slew changes have been made, some noticeable, some subtle – to bring performance to the package and open up new areas of development.

The most noticeable change is the shift to a new pull-rod front suspension, compared to the push-rod spotted on the C43. The switch is a testament to the hard-work put in by the team in Hinwil, which committed vast resources to it’s new car and are driven by the desire to unlock the potential of the aerodynamic benefits of the pull-rod arrangement.

The C44 also features an aggressive aerodynamic package, with major developments in the engine cover and sidepods so they are taking existing concepts to new extremes and display the team’s ability to package the car in reduced spaces.

The change also required the redesign of many of the C44’s internals, with a whole new floor, a key area to achieving maximum downforce. With these new development avenues opened up in these choices made in the creation of the new car, the Hinwil based-squad is currently finalising some important updates that will be brought to the opening rounds of the season, as the team looks to be a major player in the development war.

Valtteri Bottas on his new contender explained: “The new C44 definitely feels different, both in terms of looks and of what we can expect from the car. We need to perform as a team and extract the most out of this package, which has some impressive potential – nothing else matters. Personally speaking, going into third season together with a team, the objectives need to be lofty. My own expectations are high, we definitely need to make a good step and see good progress from last year, a season in which, in all honesty, we didn’t meet the targets that we set for ourselves. We need to fix that now, we need to step up our game and do better, but I have seen some real enthusiasm back in Hinwil and I am confident we can do it.” Bottas concluded. Credit to Sauber for the quote.

Zhou added: “First, you know, you can’t miss the colour! It’s a very exciting new approach, especially in Formula One. And then from my side, of course, we’re hoping to be a fast one. We’ve been putting in a lot of effort since the last season, especially in the second half of the year, after the summer break, just to make sure that we’re understanding exactly where we had to improve as a team and what the plan for the guys back in the factory would be for the winter: now is the time to put everything together and get the car on track. The expectations are high but, at the same time, we know we won’t know where we really stand until we start competing against our rivals. Still, a lot of effort went into the new car and I’m excited to drive it soon.” Zhou concluded, credit to Sauber for the quote.

The C44 will be given it’s first shakedown on Friday in Barcelona before travelling to Bahrain or three days of pre-season testing from February 21-23 before the opening round of the season at the same venue for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2024 from February 29-March 2.

Williams unleash sweet-looking FW46

Williams Racing FW46 Launch – Williams Racing have unleashed their new sweet-looking livery on the FW46 that will be driven by Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant in the upcoming 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship season.

The striking new blue livery, links to Williams’ championship-winning heritage with it’s mission to return to the front of the grid, was revealed in New York City at Puma’s Flagship store on Fifth Avenue.

Williams Racing also announced a multi-year partnership with Komatsu, a leading manufacturer of construction, forestry, industrial heavy equipment and mining.

Komatsu is rekindling it’s relationship with Williams, having enjoyed a successful partnership in the 1970’s and 80’s, as well as supplying gearbox components for the title-winning 1996 and 1997 cars.

The 2024 livery is a tribute to the Grove based-outfit’s legacy, which includes nine World Constructor’s Championships, seven World Driver’s Championships and 114 Grand Prix victories. It will adorn the FW46 car, following the FW naming tradition introduced by iconic founder Sir Frank Williams.

The livery blends past glory with future aspirations to make history again, featuring a vibrant transition from heritage navy blue to new era Williams. A red and white pinstripe, which reflects Williams’ position as a British legend and inspired by historic cars from the 1985 FW10 as driven by Nigel Mansell and Keke Rosberg to the 1997 title-winning FW19 piloted by Jacques Villeneuve.

You can read the thoughts of Team Principal James Vowles and drivers Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant reflecting on last season, their newest challenger and the upcoming 2024 season at the link: https://www.williamsf1.com/posts/7ca1b38e-fd27-4966-ad5b-a6ba8db72915/2024-history-in-the-making

The FW46 is the first car fully developed under the leadership of Vowles, will make it’s circuit debut at a filming day in Bahrain on February 20 ahead of the official pre-season test from February 21-23.

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