Following McLaren’s lead, Williams took to the Silverstone circuit for its first filming day with the new FW47. The car, set to be driven by Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon in the 2025 season, represents an evolution of the FW46 but features a significant change at the rear. Let’s analyze how the new Williams FW47 differs.
The car developed in Grove, which will be piloted by Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, is a refined version of the 2024 model. Compared to the FW46, the new single-seater features numerous detailed changes but no radical overhaul. The most notable modification is at the rear, where Williams introduces Mercedes’ 2025-spec push-rod rear suspension.
In 2024, Williams opted to race with Mercedes‘ older pull-rod system, prioritizing other areas of development. However, since James Vowles began restructuring the team in late 2023, Williams has been able to design a new car around the 2025 chassis.
The suspension layout now consists of a double push-rod system, with the front suspension also evolving internally in terms of kinematics, dampers, and elastic elements. The chassis attachment points show minimal anti-dive geometry, with the steering tie rod aligned with the lower wishbone. At the front, the nose has been slightly reshaped with an improved curvature to better manage airflow in that area.
Multiple Changes Across Different Areas
Moving along the car, a new sidepod design is immediately noticeable, now more sculpted with an even more pronounced undercut. This adjustment allows better airflow underneath the sidepods, enhancing the aerodynamic load generated at the rear. The sidepod inlet follows the “shark inlet” trend, featuring an upper lip to optimize airflow separation.
The engine cover has also undergone slight modifications, combining solutions inspired by Ferrari and McLaren to better direct airflow toward the rear of the car. The revised cover now separates the airflow more effectively into upper and lower regions, managing high-pressure areas more efficiently.
Regarding the floor, the FW47’s latest specification introduces some refinements, particularly in the lower Side Impact Structure (SIS) area, ensuring better integration. However, the most intriguing aspect of the Floor Edge Wing remains largely unchanged from the final 2024 iteration. This area is crucial for modern F1 cars, and its definitive version will only be revealed during Bahrain testing.
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