Williams FW41 Mercedes

[PlatinumZealot]

New engine-hugging exhaust pipes it looks like.

[Raleigh]

Exhausts are the same as ever. Or at least no different from Mercedes.

What's changed is Williams haven't been able to do compact cooling in the past. Not unexpected, they are only upper-midfield in terms of budget, so Williams chose to package their cooling long/narrow, small frontal profile but extending much further back into the sidepods than most and giving that bulky waist. Big undercut mind, so the airflow over the floor wasn't too bad.

This year Williams packaging is just really impressive, we aren't talking redistributed midfield bulk anymore, this is arguably better than the top teams last year.

I suspect Paddy Lowe had some impact there.

[PlatinumZealot]

Exhausts are the same as ever. Or at least no different from Mercedes.

Look again!

[roon]

Exhausts are the same as ever. Or at least no different from Mercedes.

Look again!

The photo is from a previous season. It says "Italia" on it, and the details on the car look like the '17 chassis. FWIW that exhaust header arrangement is identical to what was seen on on W08. https://cdn-8.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... detail.jpg

[Raleigh]

From the picture of the FW40 with bodywork off you can see the sidepod shape is dictated by radiator and intercooler packaging, exhausts themselves are almost flat to the engine.

This year Williams packaging is significantly more compact, they have been able to eliminate the mid-section bulk yet the front of the sidepods are no wider and there is a massive undercut below the intakes.

[PlatinumZealot]

Exhausts are the same as ever. Or at least no different from Mercedes.

Look again!

The photo is from a previous season. It says "Italia" on it, and the details on the car look like the '17 chassis. FWIW that exhaust header arrangement is identical to what was seen on on W08. https://cdn-8.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... detail.jpg

Yes. I see now. my bad. they will be different though!

[SimonFW11b]

Do we think it finally has a carbon gearbox?

[Sevach]

Do we think it finally has a carbon gearbox?

Suppousedly Williams tested a carbon prototype last year, and different from previous tech chiefs Paddy seemed to believe in carbon gearboxes so i expect a "yes" here.

[Mark4211]

https://twitter.com/WilliamsRacing/stat ... 3592082432

FW41 halo, mirror, (some) sidepod inlet details

[tomazy]

[Sevach]

A heck of a lot longer than last years car and no rake.

[domh245]

I'm wondering what that gradient on the top of the fin is - is it just livery, or a shadow cast by (or some bad photoshop to hide) an odd bit of bodywork.

[designf1]

[media]https://twitter.com/ImanHansra/status/9 ... 3665102848[/media]

[tomazy]

Is that a hole in the mirror, you can see Martini stripes throu.

[PlatinumZealot]

Trying tk achieve the same effect as Ferrari. It must be compensating for the interference from the Halo.