Williams ends Abu Dhabi on positive note
Williams F1 completed the Abu Dhabi weekend on a positive note with the performance of its FW33s showing an improvement in the penultimate Grand Prix of the season. After starting from the back of the grid, the drivers made up a combined 21 places during the Grand Prix.
Rubens Barrichello started today’s 55 lap race from the back of the grid in P24, the consequence of a ten place penalty incurred for a post-qualifying engine change. The combination of a determined drive and considered calls from the pit wall propelled Rubens up the field to finish in 12th place. Also starting from the back row, Pastor Maldonado made good progress despite a drive through penalty to conclude the race in P14.
Mark Gillan, Chief Operations Engineer:
Rubens started from the back and raced on a two stop, soft-biased strategy starting on the medium tyre. Pastor completed a one stop strategy, also starting on the medium tyre. Both drivers made strong progress through the field and by lap 13 Rubens and Pastor were P14 and P15, respectively. Rubens lost a bit of time on his first stop with a slow rear tyre change but continued to push hard to the end of the race finishing a credible 12th - almost catching Perez at the end for 11th. Pastor was given a drive through penalty for a blue flag infringement and a subsequent 30 second end-of-race penalty for another infringement finishing 14th.
Rubens Barrichello, FW33‐04 CA524, +1 lap (1:44.438, 11th):
It was a very good race, and a well considered one by the team. We started from the back but I fought all the way through and we almost ended up fighting for points. We did well to finish where we did today.
Pastor Maldonado, FW33‐02 CA523, +1 lap (1:44.628, 13th):
Our pace was a bit slow at the beginning of the race but improved when we switched onto the soft tyre. Unfortunately, my drive through penalty cost us a lot of time and potentially a better result. Our overall pace was better than it has been recently and I was happy with the car today.
