Smoking is now allowed in the Williams garage...

[Scott]

As Pat Symonds has stepped in to become the new Tech boss at Williams, replacing Mike Coughlin.   

http://www.planet-f1.com/news/3213/8826230/Williams-Announce-Technical-Shuffle

[F1fanaticBD]

I hope these gives Williams some additional boost that it badly needs. Perhaps up to this point, it has been the worst season for the Grove outfit. I am not expecting sudden turn around, but point scoring finish will be some consolation indeed.

[Scott]

I'm not expecting much from this season either - maybe just a few minor twitches during the last few races, but watch out for next season.  Symonds designs only fast cars.

[cosworth151]

I agree. With an all new formula next season, Symonds will be looking to the future.

[lkjohnson1950]

What interests me is the fine line between a good car and a not so good one. Williams was competitive last year at most tracks, and this year they are struggling to stay ahead of Caterham and Marussia. Likewise Macca was arguably the fastest car at the end of last season and now are struggling to make Q3 each race.

[F1fanaticBD]

Many of the technical sites regarding F1 stated that McLaren, Sauber & Williams are caught out due to the factor called "Tyre Squirt" due to different construction by Pirelli from the last season. As they live in the cut throat business called F1, little changes magnifies into several thousand folds, and erodes all the advantages they used to enjoy last year. It was also being expected that Pirelli tyre change to 2012 spec, will help this team, and for Mclaren up to certain extent it did, and Sauber & Williams still not being able utilize it, but there was significant improvement for sure.

Looking forward to Hungary to see how things unfold