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Technical analysis of the Williams FW29

One of the last teams to unveil their new car, Williams launched their FW29 to the press today at their Oxfordshire base. 

Immediately different to its predecessor, the new car sports heavily revised aerodynamics and a host of mechanical changes.

Last year, the team struggled with a lack of aero efficiency and reliability. These issues blighted the otherwise excellent mechanical grip of the car.

Externally the car is in similar proportions to the FW28, except that a slightly shorter gearbox makes way for larger fuel tank.

Gone are the complex aerodynamic treatments at the back of the sidepods. Instead, deeply undercut sidepods lead back to a large chimney - this size for the first hot races only - and little else in the way of flicks or winglets in order to reduce drag. 

The focus on creating more downforce for little drag continues with the rear end, where Ferrari inspiration has lead to a rear wing mounted on struts, split beam wing and a diffuser sporting a very high centre tunnel with extra side channels.

While the front wing is still an old item, the car may feature pod wings and a winglet on the roll hoop for the season- opener, according technical director to Sam Michael.

Mechanically, the rear has been repackaged to suit the Toyota engine and the gearbox sports a totally new Williams-designed seamless shift system.

At the front, the zero keel design is retained with a lot of weight taken out of the monocoque. The requirement to package more ballast at the front has created a longer vertical splitter under the raised part of the monocoque.

The number of logical changes made to the car in light of their problems last year and in expectation of the single tyre rules this year bode well for Williams. 

They have produced a contemporary car which, if it matches the figures measured in the full-scale wind tunnel tests on track, should allow them to return to the front of the midfield in 2007.

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