Williams F1 Chairman Adam Parr says the team is aiming to "take a big step forward" in 2012.
With new technical director Mike Coughlan, head of aerodynamics Jason Somerville and chief operations engineer Mark Gillan all now fully embedded in the project, Williams have completed the major personnel changes they instigated after a disappointing start to the season. To date they have scored just five points and lie a disappointing ninth in the Constructors’ Championship.
“I think it has been a very positive step for us in a number of respects,” said Parr in reference to the appointments, speaking in Friday’s official FIA press conference. “First of all, they are all very experienced people. They have a strong aerodynamic interest, particularly amongst Jason and Mark, who worked together as head and deputy head of aero at Toyota, so there is a good understanding between the track and the tunnel. I think they have already had quite an impact on the team at the factory in the sense of people seeing some good direction forward and a good way of working, so that’s all positive.
They essentially view our existing facilities and resources as being good enough to do a much better job than we are doing today. There are some areas where we need to invest a little bit and we are doing that as fast as we can to really try and take a big step forward for next year.”
Parr was also asked if he had anything to say with regard to the team’s situation in the driver market and refused to speculate on the strong rumours that World Champion Kimi Räikkönen will be returning from WRC to join the team next year. “I am afraid there is only one answer to that question, which is that our race drivers are Pastor Maldonado and Rubens Barrichello and if, and when, that changes we will make an appropriate announcement.”
F1 Media