Williams FW33

[MIKEY_!]

Just that the Ferrari design is not as aggressive as RBR, so they are more open to a change. Would have thought this low 'box would be good for CoG so advantage there.

[PlatinumZealot]

The gearbox is working very well. The car just doesn't have enough downforce.

[MIKEY_!]

Got it in one. Hence why they had to run such a big wing at spa. Monza wing was larger than usual too wasn't it?

[raymondu999]

Monza wing was kind same size as the McLaren. The Spa wing was huge, but remember the largest part was specifically decided to be in the direct line of dirty air from the airbox

[MIKEY_!]

Even so it says they are short of DF.

[raymondu999]

Yup. Didn't say they weren't. Just saying that sizes could be (at times) deceiving.

[MIKEY_!]

O right i get ya

[Byronrhys]

This car just doesn't lack downforce, its very bad mechanically also which is why it is bad n slow speed corners, it won't be hard to at least challenge for 5th next year though for this team...Hopefully Raikkonen does come.

[ringo]

Williams has made a breakthrough with understanding its troubled 2011 car, and hopes it can deliver an improved performance in Japan, says its new chief operations engineer Mark Gillan

Son of a bii...

Every year they do this!!

Driveability issues have been cited as one of Williams's major issues in 2011, but Gillan said real progress had been made in understanding the problems since the last race.

"Our levels of understanding regarding the driveability issues of the FW33 have increased significantly since Singapore and we are currently working hard to optimise the set-up and improve the car going into the Japanese GP," he said.

"We obviously need to ensure that the car operates in the optimal aerodynamic window - this is fundamental to maximising our performance and we aim to be fighting for a points finish with both cars."

[dren]

It just sounds like a PR stunt to me. I'll believe it when I see it. I am sure there are some compromises at the rear with the low gear box.

[PhillipM]

The gearbox is working very well. The car just doesn't have enough downforce.

Development wasn't fast or risky enough I don't think, that gearbox combined with some tight sidepod packaging would have been very interesting.

[wesley123]

I am thinking U-sidepods next year. Together with the low gearbox you are just able to create an airstream all the way through the tunnel, over the gearbox/crashbox and under the beamwing.

As for next year, Barrichello and Raikkonen should e driving next to each other, I am sure that Barrichello has not lost it, but just eneds to be pushed and motivated to go for a good result, even if that means beating Raikkonen on an regular basis, it will give Barrichello motivation to work harder and help in development. Barrichello is currently just lacking motivation.

[shelly]

Maybe they have found how to make a raked setup work for their car

[godlameroso]

Personally I like Maldonado, I think he's doing good. If I recall correctly he's the only Williams driver to have scored any points so far.

[JMN]

Barrichello scored 2 points in Monaco and 2 in Canada.
Maldonado scored 1 point in Belgium.