Williams coming to New York for season launch

Williams has announced that its season launch on Feb. 5 will take place in the United States, with the team heading to New York City.

Last year saw both Red Bull and AlphaTauri carrying out launch-style events in New York, as teams tap into the larger interest from American fans and companies in Formula 1. Williams is owned by Dorilton Capital, with the investment firm having offices in both New York and Houston as well as London, and is set to kick off the 2024 launches on the East Coast.

Given the timing of the event, it’s unlikely the team's new car -- the FW46 -- itself will be unveiled, but the 2024 livery will be on display alongside returning drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant.

Williams has retained Sargeant as part of its pairing, after the Floridian showing improved form in the latter stages of 2023 and became the first American to score a point in F1 in 30 years when he was classified in the top ten at the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

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The 2024 Williams will be the first produced since James Vowles joined as team principal, having begun work in the position after last year’s car was complete, while chief technical officer Pat Fry started in November. Although Fry will have had limited influence on the FW46, he says Dorilton’s recent investments show Williams has momentum following its seventh-place finish in last year’s constructors’ championship.

“I think it is a team that's moving forward, to be honest,” Fry said. “There's no point hiding behind the fact we've got a mountain of work to do, and things to develop. But I think people will see that there's a commitment there, and they'll say that commitment has to start right from the very top, which we have. And people will see us moving forward.”