If Williams is a force in 2014, almost the entire paddock will celebrate the return of an F1 great. The newly Mercedes-powered team, having once dominated the sport but not won a title since 1997, has looked a dark horse contender for 2014 during pre-season testing.
Former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, now wearing the iconic Martini stripes of Williams' new title sponsor, set the fastest time during the eight test days in Bahrain. "Nobody has a bad word to say about Felipe or Williams," former team driver David Coulthard told the Daily Mail. "It's great for formula one," he said. "Massa is a very popular driver across the world, and Frank Williams has formed a popular team."
The newly F1-retired Mark Webber was lured to Williams in 2005 off the back of its "deep roots", but his two-year tenure was at the start of the slump. The Australian said he would be delighted if Williams' pre-season form was replicated at the grands prix this year. "It would be brilliant for them to be reliable and strong," he told the Telegraph. "It would be good, really good, for Frank and everyone, they've been through a tough time but they are a good team," added Webber.
Some of F1's big hitters, notably Red Bull, are not happy that the regulations have changed so greatly. Williams, however, is thrilled. "Regulation changes of this magnitude often disrupt the order and create opportunities for teams to make a leap forward," Sir Frank Williams said on Thursday as the new Martini-livery was unveiled in London, according to La Presse.
But his daughter Claire, the deputy team boss, is not expecting world champions Red Bull to be down for long. "I would be gobsmacked if Red Bull did not (catch up)," she is quoted by the BBC. "We go to Australia in a good position but we really have to take advantage of the first few races," Claire Williams added. (GMM)
Revival 'dark horse' Williams popular in F1 paddock
- Published on 07 Mar 2014 12:13
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Jan 26
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M. Verstappen
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A. Antonelli
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G. Russell
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Jan 30
L. Hamilton
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 11
L. Norris
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Feb 12
C. Leclerc
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Feb 13
A. Antonelli
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 18
G. Russell
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Feb 19
A. Antonelli
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Feb 20
C. Leclerc
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
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Spain
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Bahrain
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Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
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- Date of b. Apr 21 1981 (45)
- Place of b. Sao Paulo, BR
- Weight 59 kg
- Length 1.66 m
4 members have this team as their favourite
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- Team name Mercedes
- Base Brackley, Germany
- Michael Schumacher 3
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- Lewis Hamilton 10
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- Lewis Hamilton 44
- George Russell 63
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