(Williams Martini Racing Team)
The Williams Martini Racing Racing Team are targeting the 2016 Formula One season as the year that they want to challenge for the Formula One world championship. The Grove based outfit who last season secured just five points over the course of the entire season have seen a complete 360 degrees turnaround in their performances this season.
The outfit have a number of new partners this season most notably a power unit supply deal with Mercedes Benz along with the a title sponsorship agreement with Martini which has allowed the team to have greater flexibility in where they place their investment.
The team are currently in third place in the Constructors championship on 177 points after overtaking Ferrari at the conclusion of last weekend's Italian Grand Prix which saw Felipe Massa secure his first ever podium finish for the Williams Martini Racing Team. The Brazilian's third place finish was the outfit's fifth podium finish of the season after Valtteri Bottas scored podium's in Austria, Silverstone, Germany and Belgium where he scored 3rd, two second places in a row and a third place finish in Belgium.
Despite their fantastic season to date, Williams Martini Racing have yet to score a win this season however they have had a front row lock out when Felipe Massa started the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring from pole position.
Speaking to GPUpdate, Williams Martini Racing's technical director Pat Symond commented:
'I try to look a bit further ahead than just a year on year basis. I'm sort of planning for 2016 more than 2015, but I think we've got a good foundation to build on now, I think we can challenge for it [the title]. The people who have been winning it over the last few years have significant amounts of money, so that might be difficult to overcome, but it'll be a lot more satisfying if we do!'
Symonds went on to say:
'We've got the best power unit in F1 but our chassis and aerodynamics have moved on immeasurably, The car's got quite a good sweet spot. It's not a bad car anywhere, we've made big strides in tyre management and thermal management in the tyres, much bigger than a lot of people might realise.'
The Williams Martini Racing Team headed into the 2014 season following an extremely successful pre-season testing period and at the opening race of the season in Melbourne, Australia deputy team principal Claire Williams stated that the teams aim was to score points in every race of the year.
Speaking to BBC F1 after the Italian Grand Prix, Williams could not hide her delight at overtaking Ferrari in the championship in their back garden saying:
'I am so pleased for Felipe to get on the podium after such a run of bad luck. I am also really pleased for Valtteri Bottas, he had a bad start but showed off his driving talents which further vindicates our decision to keep our two drivers for next season.'
The team also confirmed on the morning of the Italian Grand Prix that they had taken up their ption on Felipe Massa for next season and will also retain Valtteri Bottas in 2015.
© Ben Johnston 2014
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