Williams show off F1 2023 livery and confirms Gulf partnership

Williams have revealed the striking livery of their 2023 F1 car, the FW45 while the Grove-based outfit also announced a major partnership with Gulf Oil.

Formula One's Grove-based squad Williams has shown off the livery that will adorn the FW45, the team’s new challenger for the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship season. The British outfit has also revealed new partners, with Gulf Oil, Stephens, Michelob ULTRA and PureStream joining the team from the 2023 season.

Following a difficult season, Williams have shown off the new car, the FW45 that is an evolution of the team's 2022 F1 car, the FW44.The floor edges have been raised to satisfy the updated 2023 FIA Technical Regulations and the team has taken the opportunity to heavily evolve the sidepod concept, which has been made possible by optimising the power unit cooling layout. There are also modifications to the front suspension layout as well as the major external aerodynamic surfaces.

The FW45 will hit the track at Silverstone on 13th February, with both race drivers, Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant, undertaking driving duties. Williams Racing Brand Ambassador and 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button will also be in attendance to see this year’s car complete its first laps.

Commenting on the announcement, Chairman of the Board 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," Savage concluded.

For the 2023 F1 season, Williams has an updated driver line-up, with Alex Albon beginning his second year with the team, after an impressive season in 2022, scoring points in multiple races. American driver Logan Sargeant replaces Nicholas Latifi, after climbing the ranks from the Williams Racing Driver Academy. The 22-year-old will make his F1 debut at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix.

Albon added: "I’m really excited to be starting back for another year with the team. The car looks great and will hit the track at Silverstone. The team has worked really hard last year and over the winter to address some key areas in our car, putting in the work to try and maximise what we get out of the car for 2023, so I’m looking forward to seeing what the FW45 can do. We also welcome new partners to the team this year, so it’s great to have them onboard."

Sargeant commented: "I’m really excited for the season to get started after what, for me, feels like a long winter! I’m super motivated and we’ve put a lot of hard work in. The car is looking amazing and it shows the huge effort the team has put in the off season, so I’m looking forward to getting started at Silverstone before heading out to Bahrain."