The start of the season has been challenging for Williams, with the failed crash test preventing participation in Barcelona. However, James Vowles’ engineering team remained focused, working on the dyno and then completing a filming day at Silverstone before shipping the FW48 to Bahrain. Their determination was evident, as the car ran continuously in the first morning session with Sainz completing the opening laps.
Off track, discussions in the paddock have been dominated by the engine debate, with Ferrari, Honda, Audi, and Red Bull Powertrains all raising concerns over Mercedes. The criticism centers on Mercedes reportedly increasing the compression ratio from 16:1 to 18:1 when the internal combustion engine is hot, while remaining within limits when cold through a controversial trick.
Meanwhile, another key area under scrutiny is aerodynamics. The FIA aims for the front wing to channel airflow between the front tires, creating an “inwash” effect that keeps turbulence away from following cars, promoting closer racing and overtaking opportunities.
Engineers, however, are creatively interpreting the rules. Examples on track show teams attempting to restore an “outwash” effect, not to the extreme seen last year, but enough to push airflow around the outside of the front tires, mitigating the turbulent wake generated by rotating wheels. Williams’ FW48 is a prime example of this approach.
The main profile of the front wing, which anchors the nose pylons, is slightly curved near the endplate. Beneath a small curl, a strake—an airflow deflector—guides the air outward. The endplate itself has a cambered, arrow-shaped leading edge. Its lower footplane features an external channel tapering toward the exit, while additional flow deflectors in front of the tire and a second shaped flap further push airflow outside, achieving the same outwash effect.
The bargeboard behind the front wheels is designed to channel airflow inward, but aerodynamicists are testing solutions to redirect it differently. Williams has applied red flow-vis paint to visualize and analyze the airflow patterns across the surfaces.
As testing continues, the FW48’s aerodynamic innovations are likely to spark debate among F1 fans and teams, similar to past discussions around the hole mouse near the diffuser. Whether the focus remains on wing legality or shifts back to the Mercedes power unit controversy remains to be seen.
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