Williams FW26 launch (5th Jan), be Nosey!

[Sodemo]

Just thought I would open a thread in anticipation of the first of the 2004 car launches.
Is it being revealed live on the internet?

Does anyone know if the car is actually going to be running on the 5th, as I understand they are launching at the Valencia circuit.

[esorniloc]

If they are launching a car at a racing circuit, you must bet that its going to run on Monday!

Lets hope the first tests of this car are better than the first tests of the FW25.

[DriverT]

Well, it's going to be interesting in a few hours. Autosport.com are already calling it the "Ferrari Beater".

[Spudgun]

I should think it will be a lot better than the first incarnation of the FW25. They have the aerodymanicist that sorted the FW25 on board.

Fingers crossed.

[Led ZeppF1]

Originally posted by The Monster Does anyone know if the car is actually going to be running on the 5th, as I understand they are launching at the Valencia circuit. [/B]

Yes, the FW26 will be running ont the track for some installation laps.

http://www.bmw.williamsf1.com/04-59A...B237B5E&week=0

[Led ZeppF1]

Interesting stuff, according to the Williams F1 site, the new FW26 will be a radical departure form the FW25.

http://www.bmw.williamsf1.com/04-AE5..._01.4ml?week=0

[mansellmania]

Originally posted by DriverT
Well, it's going to be interesting in a few hours. Autosport.com are already calling it the "Ferrari Beater".

Autosport also called the mp4-18 a ferrari-beater

[Led ZeppF1]

Originally posted by mansellmania
Autosport also called the mp4-18 a ferrari-beater

Well, Ferrari was the team to beat. So, its logic that Williams and McLaren (or maybe Renault) expected to make 'a ferrari-beater' car.

Maybe next year Ferrari have to make 'a Williams/McLaren-beater' car.

[Sodemo]

I hope they haven't changed the nose too much, I loved the curved look of the FW25.

[Smokey 6 litre]

its the 5th of jan now...so where is it?

i really want to see this car, i want to see if it follows the Mclaren method of keeping it all as small as possible or will they go with their own design style!

[Sodemo]

Its launched at 2:30PM CET, so thats 1:30pm for us I think.

[Smokey 6 litre]

thanks, i'll be on at that time exactly!

[Adam43]

I expect the launch to be the usual Williams fairly low key event (no Spice girls ). Typical of them to do it at the test circuit. It should be running tomorrow, if not today, I guess.

Anyone feel free to start threads on specific aspects of the launch or the new car.

[Nicke]

Pics
http://www.f1racing.net/news.php?ID=66945

[Glen]

Wow. Twin keel - and very widely splayed, like the Mclaren.

Nose is pretty wild - there's a very large tunnel through the middle of the nose and into the twin keel space. Love it.

Need pictures of the back now.

[MacMan]

it sure is a very interesting car. That nose looks like a massive tunnel into the twin keel, really forces the air under the car more it seems. Totally different to where McLaren have gone though. I doubt the twin keel could be pushed further than what Williams have done with this. That sure is gonna be the major talking point of the testing season I reckon. Ugly but very practical.
Just my first impressions of the car so don't shoot me down in flames

[Champ69]

Originally posted by The Monster
I hope they haven't changed the nose too much, I loved the curved look of the FW25.

I hope you are not too disapointed. )

[Adam43]

World's ugliest nose! And certainly the most obvious thing on the new car! Expect Newey to copy that ASAP

Twin keel! Obviously they like this solution too!

[EERO]

Its the first truely different looking car in ages. It will be interesting to see how long that nose lasts once testing begins. I have to say I like it.

[Wethat]

I hope they haven't changed the nose too much, I loved the curved look of the FW25.

hehe

[Mackmot]

That is the most radical looking car since the 70's

[Adam43]

Originally posted by EERO
It will be interesting to see how long that nose lasts once testing begins

Or one of the other teams objects to it.

I like it in a bizaar way. Modern F1 cars aren't good looking so they might as well be different.

Also it has wetted my appitite for the season proper!

[kristof14]

WOW! Good to see a radical new design!

[jet]

It's a good looking car with a big nose but i like it!!

[Wethat]

Modern F1 cars aren't good looking so they might as well be different.

To me the FW25 was atleast as beautifull as 1 of the BMW roadcars but that changed with this model Speed is the only factor in F1 though.