In Singapore, Williams introduced a revised front suspension featuring many new components. The new suspension not only reduces weight but has also been designed and modified to optimize aerodynamic flow, working best with the package introduced a few races ago in Zandvoort.
After scoring points in Monza and Baku—tracks more suited to highlighting the strengths of the FW46 on long straights—Williams arrived in Singapore eager to impress. Last year, Alex Albon was in contention for the top 10 before contact with Sergio Perez put him out of the race, raising expectations for this season’s event.
The FW46 has made progress in overall drivability, an area where engineers focused their efforts during the winter break. On a track where driver confidence is crucial, both Williams cars fought for a top 10 spot in qualifying and the race.
While Albon had to retire due to overheating caused by a break in one of the ducts supplying fresh air to the radiators, Franco Colapinto remained in the top 10 for a long time after gaining several positions at the start. However, the Argentine lost 10th place due to an undercut by Sergio Perez’s Red Bull, relegating him to 11th, though he still delivered another solid performance, especially on a challenging track where he had never raced before.
In Singapore, Williams also arrived with a car featuring several technical updates in the front area, particularly on the suspension, completing the package that debuted a few weeks earlier in Zandvoort. The Grove team explained that the suspension revision had two key effects: reducing weight and modifying airflow toward the rear of the car to work better with the new features introduced in the Netherlands, the most significant updates to the FW46, which also included changes to the sidepods and floor.
When asked to explain what modifications were made to the front suspension brought to Singapore, Pat Fry, Williams’ technical director, stated that it was largely revised across many of its components: “We modified most of the suspension. Ultimately, a small detail here leads to a change in another detail, so we changed almost everything, from the suspension elements themselves to the brake cooling ducts; it’s all different.”
The new suspension was present only on Alex Albon’s car in Singapore, as the team managed to prepare only two units of the updated specification: one was mounted on the Anglo-Thai driver’s car, while one was kept as a backup in case of incidents. The intention was to try to advance updates to ensure they could also be introduced for Franco Colapinto after the break.
In addition to internal elements, as mentioned by Fry to reduce weight, Williams revised the carbon covers on nearly all suspension components near the wheel attachment area, from the upper to the lower wishbone, including the strut. This also helps to redirect airflow toward the central part of the car, but the most interesting aspect is that the entrance area of the brake cooling ducts was also revised. The upper surface has been completely reshaped, now allowing more free space for airflow.
Regarding weight, the FW46 started the season overweight, and with various updates, engineers have aimed to reduce the total mass, although the Grove car still exceeds the minimum weight limit set by regulations. However, this represents another small step.
Discussing the updates, Fry emphasized that, aerodynamically, this new suspension marks a significant step forward compared to the old specification. However, Singapore is not the ideal track to assess the new features, particularly because it is a circuit where weight plays a lesser role and where high speeds are not reached.
“As for the aerodynamics, this new suspension represents a reasonable step. We were also able to reduce some weight. But clearly, a single solution doesn’t completely change the car; it’s about refining details on every single component, which is how you need to work with these cars today.”
“We need to see how it performs on other tracks, but if it behaves like it does in the simulator, then it will be a significant help. It’s about finding the right balance in corners. So, also how it performs on those tracks with both high and low-speed sections, and that’s what we’re currently trying to achieve,” the technical director added.
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