• Spanish Grand Prix

Williams readies Barcelona upgrades

ESPNF1 Staff
May 16, 2011 « Virgin enjoys 'productive' test | »
Williams will be testing the new parts during Friday practice before deciding whether to run them in the race © Getty Images
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Williams will be running a new exhaust and diffuser system at the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.

Having endured its worst start to a Formula One season in its history, Williams is looking to make strides in the midfield with an updated car in Barcelona. After testing new rear wings in Turkey, technical director Sam Michael says that the team would be bringing additional upgrades to the FW33.

"Since the Turkish Grand Prix, we have been working on our new rear wings that we ran in practice at Istanbul Park and we will have them on both cars again in Barcelona," Michael said. "In addition to that we'll have new exhaust blown diffusers to test."

Rubens Barrichello has challenged the team to improve its performance in recent weeks, and said that he was hopeful that the upgrades would give the desired results.

"Barcelona is a great racing track and one that people know the most," Barrichello said. "It will be interesting to see how much the other teams and drivers have developed since we were there for the final test in March. I hope that we as a team can make a good jump forward in performance with our upgrades in Barcelona. I remain positive that we will."

Pastor Maldonado said that he was hopeful for an improved showing from both the car and himself at a track that all of the teams tested extensively on during the winter.

"It is going to be a very interesting race as we've had more time to develop the car now so we will see what we can do in Barcelona," Maldonado said. "We have more data as we tested there over the winter, so I think that will make it slightly easier than it's been at the previous races. I think it will be easier from my point of view as well because I've already driven the FW33 there. We will continue to work on the new upgrades to see what a difference they can make."

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