BMW WilliamsF1 launches 2005 FW27

FW27
By Andrew Hooper
February 1 2005

The BMW WilliamsF1 team launched their 2005 challenger the FW27 at the Valencia circuit. Present were the team drivers and members of the management from WilliamsF1 and BMW.

WilliamsF1 launches FW27

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team launched their 2005 campaign today with confirmation of their driver line-up and the unveiling of the Williams BMW FW27 at the Valencia circuit in Spain.

The team confirmed, that after an extensive evaluation process which commenced last November, that Nick Heidfeld would partner Mark Webber as a team race driver, while Antonio Pizzonia would assist with the development and progression of the FW27 as the team’s official test driver.

The FW27 was unveiled to the media at 1200hrs CET and made its public track debut at 1500, before commencing its first full test at the Spanish track which is schedule to conclude on February 4, 2005.

On its debut, BMW WilliamsF1 Team Principal Frank Williams said, “The BMW WilliamsF1 Team’s hopes and aspirations are embodied in this car, and the driver line-up we have announced today. Ahead of a new season, we are naturally cautious about our prospects, but equally are determined to be a strong force this year.”

FW27 Front Quarter

For team boss Frank Williams the 2005 season will be one in which the team is not prepared to make the same mistakes they made in 2004.

Williams said: "We want to move back into the winning lane. The mistakes of 2004 must not happen again. We must implement the new regulations to our best advantage and be completely with it when it comes down to it."

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen added: "For four years we surpassed our targets. Then in 2004 we found ourselves in a trough, failing to meet our expectations for the first time. We now aim to accumulate successes once more with renewed strength."

For the WilliamsF1 team 2005 will see two new drivers, Mark Webber and Nick Heidfeld, line up on the grid in Melbourne in March. But only Heidfeld has seen a podium finish before, while Webber's best performance remains fifth place on his debut for Minardi in 2002.

Despite their lack of success Williams was keen to express his confidence in the teams driver. He said: "I have every confidence that our drivers will be a major catalyst this season.

"Not only will they be taking every opportunity to demonstrate that our decisions to employ them were well placed, but also you cannot underestimate the incentive it provides to everyone in the company, and at the trackside, to be working with new faces."

The new FW27 encompasses all the rule changes introduced for the 2005 season, including a higher front wing and the rear wing moved forwards. The new car has noticeably smaller side-pods and has adopted the single-keel design rather than the twin keel FW26. As a result it is the teams lightest car.

Technical Director Sam Michael said: "While reducing weight, a lot of attention has been placed on reliability, in particular the gearbox. The FW27 gearbox has been running on the track since November 2004 with no major problems and any issues we had with last season's gearbox have been resolved."