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Carlos Sainz gives immediate FW47 feedback after first install laps

Williams unveiled their FW47 car at Silverstone on Friday morning, showcasing the vehicle in a unique one-off camo livery. The car’s first official laps were completed by Carlos Sainz, who provided initial feedback after his brief run. Sainz, taking to the short version of the Silverstone circuit, completed two laps and described the experience positively, noting, “everything went fine.” His feedback suggested that the early stages of the run went smoothly, which is promising for a car in its first run. He acknowledged that the initial lap of a newly developed car is always a bit tricky, but expressed satisfaction with how the car felt.

Although the first laps were not intended to push the car to its limits, Sainz did notice a few areas within the cockpit that could be improved, which he planned to address with the team. The primary goal of his run was to ensure everything was functioning correctly and to check the basic setup. “Now we’ll get the car ready to run on slicks and start pushing little by little,” he added, indicating that more aggressive testing would follow.

Before Sainz took to the track, Jenson Button, during an online presentation of the FW47, emphasized that the initial laps were for installation purposes rather than performance testing. Button pointed out that while it might look slow to outsiders, this initial phase was about checking for any issues with the car. He noted that drivers, though eager, are primarily focused on ensuring the car is sound from the start. According to Button, Sainz would have completed extensive simulator sessions, which would have made the car feel familiar right away.

Later on Friday, both Sainz and his teammate Alex Albon were scheduled to run the FW47, as part of the team’s 200km filming day limit. Albon would also take the car for a spin after Sainz’s run, with the duo getting valuable track time for initial data collection. Williams’ team principal, James Vowles, described the FW47 as an “evolution” of the previous year’s FW46, highlighting that while the car was a development of its predecessor, it incorporated a large number of small changes aimed at improving overall performance. He pointed out that the team had made meticulous adjustments, down to the smallest details, to ensure the car was competitive.

When asked about the potential for a top-three finish with the FW47, Vowles was cautious but optimistic. While he didn’t want to promise anything, he acknowledged the team’s strength, particularly with Sainz and Albon behind the wheel. He noted that surprises could occur, referencing unexpected performances from last season. However, Vowles tempered expectations, saying that while the team had the right ingredients for success, it was unlikely they would challenge for podiums on a regular basis. Despite this, he expressed confidence in the abilities of his drivers, stating they would “give everything” for the team’s success, as wo

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