Williams Racing has today
unveiled the team’s new livery for the car that will be driven by Alex Albon
and Logan Sargeant in the upcoming 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
The striking blue livery, which links Williams’ championship-winning
heritage with its mission to return to the front of the grid, was revealed
in the heart of New York City at PUMA’s Flagship store on Fifth Avenue.
Williams Racing also proudly announced a new multi-year Principal
Partnership with Komatsu, a leading manufacturer of construction, mining,
forestry, and industrial heavy equipment. Komatsu is rekindling its
relationship with Williams having enjoyed a successful partnership in the
1980s and 1990s, which included supplying gearbox components for the
title-winning 1996 and 1997 cars.
As part of Williams’ commitment to provide unrivalled access to fans, 46
lucky winners of a WilliamsF1.com competition were treated to a special meet
and greet with Alex and Logan in Manhattan.
And New Yorkers and Big Apple visitors will be able to see the new livery up
close for the next week as the PUMA store plays host to a Williams Racing
car until Sunday 11 February. Selected items from the brand new Williams
Racing x PUMA merchandise line will also be available to buy in store, on
the PUMA website and on WilliamsF1.com from today.
The FW46 livery – a contemporary tribute
The 2024 livery is a contemporary tribute to Williams Racing’s legacy, which
includes nine Constructors’ World Championships, seven Drivers’
Championships and 114 race wins. It will adorn the FW46 car, following the
FW naming tradition introduced by legendary team founder Sir Frank Williams.
The livery seamlessly blends past glory with future aspirations to make
history again, featuring a vibrant colour transition from Heritage Navy Blue
to New Era Williams. A red and white pinstripe, reflecting Williams’
position as a British icon and inspired by historic cars from the 1985 FW10
driven by Nigel Mansell and Keke Rosberg to the 1997 Championship-winning
FW19 piloted to glory by Jacques Villeneuve, is meticulously integrated for
a classy yet powerful look. The addition of branding from multiple new team
partners injects an energetic feel to this year’s design. It was unveiled at
the PUMA store in New York to celebrate the team’s partnership with the
sportswear giant which will see it provide official team kit and driver
racewear from 2024 onwards, as well as fan collections and accessories.
The FW46, which is the first car fully developed under the leadership of
Team Principal James Vowles, will make its track debut at a pre-season
promotional filming day in Bahrain on 20 February ahead of the Official
Pre-Season test, beginning on 21 February.
New partners onboard for 2024
Williams Racing’s multi-year partnership with Komatsu is a statement moment
for the team as it continues to strengthen on and off the track. This
partnership proudly reignites a previous long-standing relationship forged
in the 1980s and 90s during one of Williams Racing’s most successful eras in
Formula 1 so far. Over that period Komatsu provided expertise and technology
to Williams, including gearbox parts for the Championship-winning FW18 and
FW19 cars. Both Williams and Komatsu will rekindle their legacy at a pivotal
time in the sport to build a new era of success together in 2024 and beyond.
The Japanese manufacturing giant is renowned as a world-leading company that
manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, utility equipment
(compact machines), forest machines, industrial machinery and others.
Komatsu and Williams Racing share deep-rooted values of collaboration,
resilience, excellence and authenticity through their innovation of
cutting-edge technology to drive performance and results.
Komatsu’s logo will feature prominently on the FW46 driven by Alex Albon and
Logan Sargeant, as well as driver overalls and Williams Racing team kit.
Komatsu is the latest partner to join the team’s long-term mission to return
to the front of the grid. In recent days the team also welcomed data
platform provider VAST Data as an Official Partner as Williams continues to
build momentum heading into 2024.
Understanding the wealth of data F1 cars produce is critical to on-track
success, and VAST Data's expertise in managing and processing large datasets
can help optimise the team's performance.
These new partners follow a series of major additions announced in the
second half of 2023, including THG – through its Myprotein and Ingenuity
brands – and PUMA. January also saw an announcement of an extended power
unit relationship with Mercedes-Benz, who will continue to supply engines to
the team for 2026 and beyond.
2024 – History in the Making
On track, Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant form an established and exciting
driver line-up for 2024. Alex enters his third season with the team after
helping lead Williams Racing to seventh in the 2023 Constructors’
Championship, the team’s best finish since 2017. The Thai driver had an
excellent season scoring an impressive 27 points with seven top-10 finishes.
Florida native Logan embarks on his sophomore year in Formula 1 as he looks
to build on the progress made during his rookie season that saw him become
the first American driver to score a point for 30 years.
With the continued strength of Dorilton behind the team, Williams Racing
enters its second season with James Vowles as Team Principal, supported by
the addition of Pat Fry as Chief Technical Officer – bringing extensive
experience and multiple World Championship titles between them. The 2024
season is the next step in a long-term process to return to the front of the
grid as the team continues to transform and rebuild, investing in the right
people and capabilities to progress forward.
Williams is also investing in the stars of the future through the Williams
Racing Driver Academy, building on a proud tradition of giving young talent
a path into F1 – such as World Champions Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve,
Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg. For 2024 Williams is proudly supporting
seven talented young drivers across multiple junior categories of motorsport
from grassroots karting to F1: Zak O’Sullivan (FIA Formula 2), Franco
Colapinto (FIA Formula 2), Luke Browning (FIA Formula 3), Lia Block (F1
Academy), Alessandro Giusti (Formula Regional European Championship),
Oleksandr ‘Sasha’ Bondarev (OK Karting) and Sara Matsui (OKJ Karting). The
Driver Academy will nurture their talent, support them as they grow and work
with them on and off the track to develop the skills necessary to race at
the top level. Jamie Chadwick will continue to be a part of the Williams
Racing family as a Williams Racing Driver competing in her second season of
Indy NXT, and as F1 Academy Adviser mentoring Lia through her rookie season
in F1 Academy.
And this year Williams will bring the global following of Williams Racing
fans closer to the action than ever, providing unrivalled access through fan
zones, pop-ups and behind-the-scenes social media content along with
exclusive online experiences through our website WilliamsF1.com and official
app.
James Vowles, Team Principal, Williams Racing: "It is a significant
milestone to unveil the 2024 livery at an iconic location in New York City.
The FW46 has been the focus of the team for many months and there is still a
tremendous effort going in from everyone at Grove to deliver our challenger
for this year.
“As we look to build on the momentum from last season, we have a driver
line-up in Alex and Logan that is capable of consistently fighting for
points while helping lead our development for the future.
“Since joining Williams Racing a year ago, I’ve seen this team pull together
to overcome a number of challenges and claim seventh in the Constructors’
Championship, which meant a great deal for everyone involved. We’ve also
shown the world that we’re building the foundations for moving forward.
“We’ll continue to strengthen the team both on and off the track through
improvements to our infrastructure, investing in our people, and attracting
fantastic new partners like Komatsu.
“Of course, there’s still a long way to go on this journey together but I
know our fans, partners and everyone at Grove HQ is pushing as one to create
new history for this iconic team. It will take time, but everyone’s support
is integral to help drive us towards success in the years to come. I’m
looking forward to seeing what this season holds for us."
Hiroyuki Ogawa, CEO and President, Komatsu: “Komatsu and Williams Racing
have shared values around innovation and the development of our people, and
through our partnership we look forward to Creating Value Together, both on
and off the track. Our partnership with Williams Racing is aligned with
Komatsu’s mission to create value through manufacturing and technology
innovations to empower a sustainable future where people, businesses and our
planet can thrive together.”
Alex Albon: “Coming off the back of a very positive year we’re hoping to
build on our progress into 2024, working hard to make some good steps
forward in performance. We’ve asked a lot of the team and the factory to get
this car where it needs to be, and we’ve also slightly changed the
philosophy of the car, so I’m interested to see if we can improve some of
the characteristics it has historically had. It will require an adjustment
in driving style but I’m confident it will be a change for the better.”
Logan Sargeant: "After unveiling this great livery I’m now itching to get
behind the wheel of the FW46 and keep developing as a driver. I’ve had a
productive off season that has allowed me to prepare both physically and
mentally for the year ahead. Taking the time to properly reflect on my
rookie season, there’s been a lot of lessons learned and experience gained
that can only benefit me as I enter this new season.
“I know my goals this year. I’ll be looking to build on the progress I’ve
made since being a part of the Williams Racing family. I intend to help
contribute more to the team’s success. Everyone at Grove has been working
tirelessly to deliver the FW46 over the winter break. I can’t thank them
enough for their hard work and the support they’ve given me. Hopefully we
can achieve some great results together in 2024." |