Taking to Sky SportsF1, Williams’ Deputy Team Principal, Claire Williams declared that the British team is encouraged by the recent successful first outing of the new Mercedes-powered Williams FW36 in Jerez.
The team endured a very difficult season in 2013, scoring just 5 points and finishing 9th in the constructors’ championship with the Renault V8 power.
For 2014, the team has switched engine supplier for Mercedes-Benz and has hired former Ferrari driver, Felipe Massa.
Massa set the fastest time in the fourth and final day of testing at Jerez de la Frontera, setting a 1m28.229 and completing 86 laps of the Spanish circuit.
Team boss Claire Williams has admitted this was encouraging, but insisted they aren't getting carried away with their early winter form.
"No, we never do that, not at Williams. It's the first test and it is a really difficult year, or different year, for everybody with the regulations. We did have a good test in Jerez which is obviously great for the team, it's a really good boost. But it's a really long season as everybody knows”, Claire Williams told Sky Sports F1.
"Mercedes they a fantastic partner, they've been really good for us over the past six months of development work for them," Claire Williams added.
She also said that Felipe Massa’s arrival was really appreciated by the members of the team.
"He's such a great guy, he's a lovely guy and I think for him this is a new challenge, which is exciting for him. But it's exciting for everyone in the team and he's a really great motivator as well,” she declared.
The team endured a very difficult season in 2013, scoring just 5 points and finishing 9th in the constructors’ championship with the Renault V8 power.
For 2014, the team has switched engine supplier for Mercedes-Benz and has hired former Ferrari driver, Felipe Massa.
Massa set the fastest time in the fourth and final day of testing at Jerez de la Frontera, setting a 1m28.229 and completing 86 laps of the Spanish circuit.
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| Williams' engineers at work. (Photo: WRi2) |
Team boss Claire Williams has admitted this was encouraging, but insisted they aren't getting carried away with their early winter form.
"No, we never do that, not at Williams. It's the first test and it is a really difficult year, or different year, for everybody with the regulations. We did have a good test in Jerez which is obviously great for the team, it's a really good boost. But it's a really long season as everybody knows”, Claire Williams told Sky Sports F1.
"Mercedes they a fantastic partner, they've been really good for us over the past six months of development work for them," Claire Williams added.
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| Felipe Massa (Williams) and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) at Jerez. (Photo: WRi2) |
She also said that Felipe Massa’s arrival was really appreciated by the members of the team.
"He's such a great guy, he's a lovely guy and I think for him this is a new challenge, which is exciting for him. But it's exciting for everyone in the team and he's a really great motivator as well,” she declared.