Williams confident of 2017 line up
- Published on 15 Feb 2017 15:40
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Deputy team principal of Williams Claire Williams finds confidence in their 2017 driver line up of Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll. Massa, one of the most experienced drivers on the grid will be joined by rookie Lance Stroll, who dominated the European Formula 3 championship in 2016.
Massa originally ended his career at the end of the 2016 season but rapidly decided to do '180' and climb back into the Williams when it was announced his former team mate Valtteri Bottas was leaving to join Mercedes.
Stroll will be the only rookie in the 2017 field and will be looking to learn a lot from his experienced Brazilian team mate. Williams thinks that despite the age and experience gap, they will bring the team some strong results.
Williams said: "Our [new] pairing is somewhat similar; we had in Valtteri an experienced driver, with four seasons under his belt, and now we have Felipe, with his 15 years of experience. One of the most important considerations is how well the drivers will work.
"Our predominant focus is on the Constructors' Championship so for us, having two drivers that know and understand the importance that we place on the Constructors' is critical.
"Lance and Felipe worked together last year, because Lance was part of the development programme that we had, [so] they've spent time together and we know they get on already. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can both bring to each other."
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (2)
Login to replyyellowfly81
Posts: 79
I'm really confident that Lance will deliver, and the F1 paddock is a poorer place without Felipe!
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Disagree. It takes a couple of years to grow into F1 and not sure if Felipe is at his best, I would have rather seen Hulkenberg or Ocon in the Williams, their drivers reflect where the williams team is currently. They really need a manufactor deal to get ahead they will always be behind the factory team. Like we saw last year.