Williams miss first day of testing in Barcelona

The Williams Formula One team have blamed delays on preparing their 2019 car for sitting out the first day of preseason testing in Barcelona on Monday.

Claire Williams, deputy team principal, said Sunday, “Unfortunately, we have had to delay the start of our preseason Barcelona test to Tuesday morning.

“We have had an incredibly busy winter at Grove getting the FW42 prepared for the season ahead and, despite everyone’s best efforts, we need some more time before it will be ready to run.”

She said the priority was to bring a car to the track “that is the best that it can be.”

“It’s clearly not ideal, but equally it’s not the end of the world.”

The delay means the British team are up against the clock to get in vital testing miles.

Williams had a disappointing 2018, finishing last in the constructors’ title race, and will be hoping their all new driver lineup of George Russell and returning Robert Kubica can help bring a change of fortune.

This pair replace Sergey Sirotkin and Lance Stroll.

The new season gets underway with the traditional curtain raiser in Melbourne on March 17.