The mix of Method 1 returning to Shanghai for the primary time since 2019, and this weekend’s Chinese language Grand Prix marking the primary Dash Race of the 2024 marketing campaign, is posing some distinctive circumstances for the groups to overcome.
It’s a set of “fascinating challenges” which Williams is wanting ahead to.
It has been a troublesome few weeks for Williams, who completed a stunning seventh place within the Constructors’ Championship a season in the past. Alexander Albon’s apply shunt forward of the Australian Grand Prix — and the group’s lack of a backup chassis — noticed Logan Sargeant sidelined for the race itself as Albon slid into his FW46. There have been extra issues forward of the Japanese Grand Prix, when it was Sargeant who crashed in FP1.
Whereas the group was in a position to get the automotive prepared for the race, these had been once more nervy instances for the group, who arrived at Suzuka once more with no backup chassis.
That’s the case once more this week, including yet one more set of difficulties the group faces because the grid comes again to China.
“Coming again to Shanghai for the primary Dash competitors of 2024 is an interesting problem. The circuit retains its wonderful mixture of corners in addition to the very lengthy again straight. The format is demanding for the drivers, automobiles and [tires] with the opening cornering complicated of T1/2/3 being a tough begin to the lap. The quick T7/8 mixture continues to work the [tires] forward of the slower part which finally results in the again straight,” mentioned Dave Robson, the group’s Head of Automobile Efficiency, within the group’s media preview.
“Tackling this circuit for the primary time since 2019 and having solely a single apply session forward of the Dash classes received’t be straightforward, but it surely is a chance that we relish,” added Robson. “For 2024, the laws for the Dash competitions have been up to date and we are going to look to make use of these updates to get probably the most out of FW46 all through the aggressive classes.”
Along with the work the group carried out to get each automobiles prepared for China, Williams might be bringing some upgrades to Shanghai Worldwide Circuit as they appear to open their account for the 2024 marketing campaign.
“Preparations for the weekend have gone effectively with each drivers finishing productive work within the simulator and the whole group working laborious to replenish our inventory of components. Regardless of the continued work to get better from current attrition, we’ve additionally been in a position to deliver an aerodynamic replace to this occasion,” outlined Robson. “Alex will run with a revised HALO fairing and each automobiles will use the brand new entrance wing that we launched in Japan.”
For Sargeant, this might be his first Chinese language Grand Prix.
Which implies plenty of hours logged on the simulator to arrange.
“I’m excited to be racing in China for the primary time. I’ve been on the simulator again at Grove between races to familiarize yourself with the monitor. Because it’s the primary Dash weekend of the season, we’re very restricted on operating earlier than we get underway with Dash Qualifying,” mentioned Sargeant. “Like everybody else, we have to benefit from the one-hour apply session to know the circuit and set-up the automotive the perfect we will. I’m certain the weekend will present alternatives with it being a Dash, so we simply must put ourselves in the correct place to take them.”
As for Albon — who unveiled an unimaginable panda-themed helmet for this weekend — Shanghai could also be a monitor he has seen earlier than, however the lengthy hole between races on the monitor means getting up to the mark rapidly.
“While it’s been a tricky few weeks for the group, everybody has been working tirelessly on the manufacturing facility to get us again up and prepared for China, so I’m immensely grateful for his or her laborious work.
“Wanting ahead, we head to China for the primary Dash occasion of the season and to a circuit many people haven’t pushed at in over 5 years, and for Logan, it will likely be the primary time. In preparation, we’ve each been busy within the simulator, working laborious to higher perceive how the automotive may carry out across the circuit, with a tough first sector in addition to one of many longest straights on the calendar,” continued Albon. “Being a Dash weekend with restricted apply classes, we’ll put our deal with benefiting from the format and attempt to capitalise on this restricted operating.”
