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Williams ‘has already completed the turnaround’

Published on 17 Dec 2018 08:53
11
By: Fergal Walsh

After what was a disastrous 2018 campaign for Williams, its chief technical officer Paddy Lowe has said he believes the team has managed to turn around their fortunes. This comes after a season where they only managed to score seven points, six of which were won by Lance Stroll.

Lowe is confident that the Grove-based outfit has managed to identify where its weaknesses were last season, and has come up with the solutions to these problems as the development of their 2019 challenger progresses. This will help to ensure that the team improves next year for when George Russell makes his debut and Robert Kubica makes his return.

“2018 was an extremely difficult year for Williams,” Lowe admitted. But the good thing is people have recognised the problems and are working hard on them. I’m not going to make pinpoint predictions and say we will improve in the World Championship. But I know we will be better. We have already completed the turnaround.

“Things are changing at Williams but these things take time,” Lowe added. “First of all, you need changes in the technical department, that’s the only way you can build a better car. There are a hundred reasons [for 2018’s poor performance] – in the race car, in the way we design and develop the car. And that’s the point, there is no panacea. We are working on all of them.

“You need changes in the organisation, but these do not take effect immediately. We are the third oldest team in Formula 1 and some employees have been with us for many, many years. Sometimes you need a little fresh blood. We have to make sure that we have the skilled workers with the right knowledge to plot a new approach. We are currently on this journey.”

ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475

Hard to accept that a "turnaround is complete" if Claire still has her job

1
Dec 17 2018 - 15:46

F1 News Lance Stroll Robert Kubica George Russell Paddy Lowe Bob Said Williams

Replies (11)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Good joke! But on a more serious note: Im sure we can now all relax and see you do better for next year, wont we? Yes Im sure we will.
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- Dec 17 2018 - 11:18
blade

Posts: 341
This I think is the first year of Lowe having full responsibility - new car, new personnel, etc etc etc. Is it easier to develop an already good solid car, or build a new one from scratch and hope it all plays out well.....I'm worried for them, they need a mid table finish really, won't get the sponsors at the back of the field. Fingers and everything else crossed for the team.
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- Dec 17 2018 - 15:06
ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
Hard to accept that a "turnaround is complete" if Claire still has her job
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- Dec 17 2018 - 15:46
- Ram Samartha
  
  Posts: 1,172
  Have to agree with that. Not impressed with her performance so far or the types of comments she makes about the team and sport in general. She seems more concerned about appearances and touchy-feely employee relations than winning races and titles.
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  Dec 18 2018 - 23:14
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  I've said it before. She was a very good communications director. I think that's the right job for her. But the team manager needs a different skill-set. It also must be hard on team morale to see her as team manager simply because of nepotism
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  Dec 19 2018 - 04:19
F1todayfan101

Posts: 120
Place your bets! Place your bets! Will Williams be: Last, second last or joint last?

Seriously, its very hard to see anything but. Haas have shown the customer car model is better than low cash independant designs. STR are back in sync with RBR, Sauber have done an actual turn around and McLaren... well...... .. .
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- Dec 17 2018 - 18:05
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  I'm betting second to last, because Toro Rosso has prostituted their services to Red Bull and will be significantly harmed by that. Or rather, since there is no filter in this site, Toro Rosso will be Red Bull's bitch.
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  Dec 17 2018 - 18:50
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  @AJPP You forget that they will also share a significant amount of parts with Red Bull, saving them money they can use on other parts. They will not really be a bitch as much as a mistress for next year, more or less the same but with a nicer dress, and at least she is allowed to reside in Lord Sanguine Del Toro's manours now, similarly to how ms Sauber and ms Haas get to reside in the halls of the steed. I dont think this is the last time we see Williams putting their bottom at the bottom place.
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  Dec 17 2018 - 20:03
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  I agree with you just because the retort really cracked me up lol
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  Dec 17 2018 - 21:19
- mcbhargav
  
  Posts: 1,332
  @Calle.itw that bottom is funny. Lol.
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  Dec 18 2018 - 04:26
- Ram Samartha
  
  Posts: 1,172
  Toss up between Williams and McLaren. STR will probably improve now that they and RBR are using the same engine, and one has to assume other vital parts as well.
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  Dec 18 2018 - 23:17