Following the recent winter testing in Spain we are all waiting in eager anticipation of the 2010 season!

With the addition of (we hope) four new teams, two new circuits, changes in team names and structures, new engine suppliers, new regulations, new drivers and even a returning World Champion, no-one could say Formula 1 ever has the opportunity to become stagnant.

Since my last Blog in December 2009 we have been working hard to re-design the car to bring through general development of the aerodynamics and to suit the new rules for 2010. These include the banning of refuelling during the race, which means that all Teams have had to increase the size of the fuel tank for full race capacity, and increasing the required minimum weight of the car to 620kg. Specifically for us, we have also had to design the car around a new engine provided by Cosworth.

In addition to the new fuelling system and revised weight of the car there will be narrower front tyres which are intended to allow the cars to run with a more rearwards weight distribution, and it is expected that Bridgestone will use slightly harder tyre compounds to cope with the fact that the cars will be up to 100kg heavier when they start each race compared with the 2009 season.

There is a new points system being introduced as a result of the expanded grid of thirteen teams, and twenty six cars. The top ten finishers will receive points in the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships ranging from 25 points for a win to 1 point for tenth place. The gap in points between first, second and third is broader than last season, meaning that teams will really need to finish in the top six cars consistently to keep in the battle for a Championship.

Responsible for our race performance this year will be the most experienced Formula 1 driver of all time, Rubens Barrichello (although some years younger than a certain M Schumacher, Rubens has started more Grands Prix than any other driver) and the rookie Nico Hulkenburg, who won the GP2 series last year. Back at the factory there is great excitement and anticipation about this pairing, who bring a healthy balance of knowledge, experience and youthful exuberance to the Team (and that’s just Rubens!). That in conjunction with the hard work and determination of everyone involved in bringing the new car to the circuit for 2010 brings renewed expectations for a great season.

 Winter testing can be a good indication of how well we have achieved this, and we are pleased with our performance and reliability so far. The Support Team and Engineers have been travelling throughout Spain during February, working extremely hard to maximise the testing mileage, using the opportunity to identify where developments are possible and where upgrades are required for the start of the season. Mileage accumulations are recorded component by component to ensure driver and car safety when we reach the races. We maintain a centralised database consisting of 100,000 parts and components which can be tracked throughout their lifecycle to ensure reliability.

As I am writing this, we are making final preparations for the Bahrain Race on Sunday 14 March, less than two weeks away. The sea freight made up of the heavy equipment used in the pits and garage was dispatched from the factory on 8 January 2010, and the main air freight will be flown out to Bahrain on Saturday 6 March, including 7 palettes of equipment from computer racks to spare tyres, bodywork and hydraulic parts. Prior to their departure with the main freight, the two race cars will be fired up by the Race Team for their final systems checks and will then be stripped down and packed in their travel kit, which consists of an aluminium protection, supported by a heavy foam and nylon cover. This is sent with the freight to the departure airport, and the next time it is seen, is at the circuit in Bahrain, hopefully outside the right garage! There is also a late freight planned for next week, to allow us the possibility of maximising any development work right up until the last minute.

The Race Team will be flying out to Bahrain from Sunday 7 March, and will be setting up the garage, and making final preparations ahead of qualifying on Saturday. One final change to be aware of is the fact that eight cars will now be eliminated after Qualifying 1, and Qualifying 2, leaving ten cars to fight it out in Qualifying 3 session for the pole position ahead of the race. This final qualifying session will now be on low fuel, as we are allowed to refuel for the race start, and so Q3 will be the best indication of the relative pace of the cars on the grid. That’s when we’ll know who’s done the best job over the winter months.

Now you are updated on the various changes within the sport and the AT&T Williams team for the 2010 season, I hope you will be watching and cheering us on at the Bahrain race.

Alex Burns
3 March 2010