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Williams become the latest team to reveal their 2023 all-new Gulf livery with 17 days left until official pre-season testing.
Williams’ board chairman Matthew Savage said: “As Williams Racing continues its transformation, we’re proud to unveil this year’s livery.
“We are excited about this year’s car, and I cannot thank the entire team at Grove enough for their hard work to get ready for the season. I am delighted to welcome both new and existing partners to our journey.
“With our new team principal James Vowles joining us later this month, as well as our exciting driver line-up of Alex and Logan, Williams Racing will be giving its all in 2023.”
Williams in 2023
The Oxfordshire team are going into 2023 with new people in the team after Jost Capito announced his exit. The Team Principal picked up from where Claire Williams left off and he made sure to start setting Williams back on track.
James Vowles will now be taking over after he left his Motorsport Strategy Director role at Mercedes. The Brit has 21 years of Formula One experience having worked with teams such as Honda Racing, Brawn GP and British American Racing – all close to Mercedes.
Williams are yet to get themselves back on track with winning days. They are on the path to joining the middle table teams. In 2022, Williams impressed the paddock with their straight-line speed which was one of the strongest across the grid.
It saw them earn points in several races and having Alex Albon make his F1 return and working with Williams surely put them a step forward. The Thai is coming from some time off after he lost his Red Bull seat to Sergio Perez. He managed to make a comeback with some smart and patient decisions throughout the 2022 season.
This year, he will have rookie Logan Sargeant as a teammate. The American will be the first driver from the States to drive in F1 since Alexender Rossi in 2015. He earned his Super Licence in Abu Dhabi after he scored points in Formula 2’s Sprint Race.
His last season in Formula 2 was far from plain sailing. However, after many duels against other talented drivers, he finished fourth in the championship standing, just a point behind Liam Lawson. To top off the season, he won the Anthoine Hubert Award for 2022’s best rookie with two wins and four podiums.
Partnering with Gulf
Gulf cement their name in motorsport once again as they not only partner with Williams, but with the Driver Academy and Esports team too.
This will help to further progress the young career of junior drivers. The colours of Gulf will be displayed on the new FW45 livery.
CEO of Gulf Oil International, Mike Jones, said: “Gulf has a proud history in motorsport with some of the most iconic and respected teams, and Williams Racing is no exception.
“Together we share decades of motorsport experience to bring motorsport, Formula 1 and Williams Racing fans closer to the sport they love through our partnership.
“We are also excited to expand our foothold in motorsport through the Williams Racing Driver Academy and Williams Esports.
“Together we share a vision of a bright modern future for motorsport on and off the track; made possible through our common culture of partnership and innovation.
“This makes Williams Racing the perfect partner for Gulf, and we’re excited to start this next chapter of our iconic motorsport story.”
Featured Image Credit: Williams Racing