Williams had a positive first test last week in Barcelona with his new FW43, finishing 324 laps, though Nicholas Latifi lost valuable track time on Friday with a Mercedes engine issue.
Latifi admitted that since its disastrous start to the 2019 season, Williams had made a significant move but cautioned that more work needs to do.
There are definitely some positive signs in there, “he said.
There are still some negative things with the car. Some things we still have to try and sort out. Some issues let’s say characteristic-that have been carried over from last year, so not all of the problems are solved.
Asked by Autosport since February 2019 about the turnaround, Latifi agreed Williams would in a much stronger position.
It sounds silly to say but just the fact that everything was ready on time. Waiting for the light to go out on the first day of testing was a huge psychological boost for the team. Especially after what happened last year, “he said.
From my first impression of the car when I was driving on day one. I feel sure it’s a step forward. It is great to feel like a driver because you can tell all the hard work that the guys and girls back in the factory were doing over the winter.
How much that is a step forward?
All the other teams have made a step forward for sure, we’ll find out the first few races are coming.
Asked to detail his expectations for his rookie season, Latifi said that beating Russell would be his main target.
Your most important benchmark in F1 is always your team-mate because you’re in the same car, “he said.
I’ve got a very good team-mate in George, so I’m looking forward to the side-by-side race. Walking up against him and seeing how I can go against him.
