What’s new for Williams in 2023?

Williams F1 are hoping to return to form with renewed ambitions in 2023.

What’s new for Williams in 2023?

Williams Team Principal James Vowles and driver Logan Sargeant

Williams have struggled to keep up with their competitors of the past in recent years. The Grove based team has experienced a monumental decline in performance and results over the past decade. Although the team was highly domineering during the peak of it’s success. Williams has won 9 WCCs and 7 WDCs since it’s inception in 1977.

The last time Williams tasted Championship glory was back in 1997 with Jacques Villeneuve. While the team continued to win races and score podiums during the 2000s, it failed to replicate it’s prior success. The team faced a massive decline in the late 2010s with a lack of sponsors and often an inadequate supply of revenue. Williams finished last in the standings for 3 consecutive years between 2018 and 2020.

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The Williams family eventually sold their stake in the team in 2020 to American investment firm Dorilton Capital for $152 Million. 2021 marked the first season for the team without the leadership of a member of the Williams Family. With a new Team Principal and driver line-up in place for 2023, Williams are looking to return to their Championship glory days.

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Renewed ambitions for Williams

Williams FW45
Williams FW45

In their attempt to restructure the team and bring it back up from it’s current position at the bottom of the barrel, Dorilton Capital has announced several changes. Williams F1 has appointed James Vowles as the new Team Principal for 2023. Vowles is widely known for his role as the Chief Strategist at Mercedes. Alongside new leadership, Williams have also enrolled F2 race winner Logan Sargeant in their ranks. The American driver will be pairing Alex Albon in his debut Formula One season.

Williams have shown potential since their resurrection in 2020. The Grove based team has revealed the livery for their 2023 challenger, they have also announced iconic brand Gulf Oil as a major sponsor. This comes just months after Gulf chose not to renew it’s deal with McLaren. Alongside the oil company, Williams have also announced a wide array of new partners. Stephens, Michelob ULTRA and PureStream will also be featured on the FW45.

Since Dorilton Capital took the reigns of Williams, the team has produced solid results in the lower mid-field, scoring points often and being competitive. It will be intriguing to see if 1997 F1 champions can build on it’s positive momentum in 2023. With a sizeable cash influx owing to several new partnerships, Williams will be looking to return to winning ways under new leadership and armed with a fresh driver line-up.

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