Patrick Head praises Renault for helping Williams turnaround

22 August, 2012

Patrick Head in the Yas Marina pit garage

Aug.22 (GMM) Williams’ impressive improvement this year, after the 5 point debacle that was 2011, has a great deal to do with Renault, according to the team’s former co-owner and technical chief Patrick Head, who is no longer involved in the design and development of the Grove-made cars.

“I always have a good look at what they’re doing,” he recently told Brazil’s O Estado de S.Paulo, “but I am concerned with other things now.”

Last year, the Cosworth-powered FW33′s best finishes were a pair of ninths, achieved by Rubens Barrichello.

Now with the title-winning Renault V8, the new FW34 has already scored 53 points, including Williams’ first race win since 2004.

Head told journalist Livio Oricchio that the better “aerodynamic design” of the FW34 has been possible largely due to the “characteristics of the Renault engine”.

Oricchio said the radiators can be smaller, with the Renault generally smaller and lower than the Cosworth.

“We could make a car with better aerodynamics and weight distribution. It [the Renault engine] was the strongest influence on the efficiency of this year’s project,” said Head.

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Related posts:

1. Head steps down from Williams board
2. Patrick Head to retire at end of 2011
3. Patrick Head: We’ve built an adventurous car
4. Patrick Head honoured by GP Masters
5. Head says Cosworth an ‘option’ for Williams