Rothmans-Williams-Renault unveil the FW 19; Round-up
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Friday January 31, 1997

The Williams team have unveiled their 1997 car, the FW 19, today. Patrick Head said about the new car looking similar to it's predecessors: "Although we have followed the same theme, the FW19 is a completely new car. It has a new transverse transmission, allows for the innovative Renault RS9 engine and satisfies the 1997 steering and rear impact test."

Heinz-Harald Frentzen said it would be difficult to fill reigning World Champion Damon Hill's shoes, but he added: "People are expecting a lot. They are right. I am in one of the best cars in Formula One. People expect we will win races, and the world championship. We are well prepared. I am well prepared."

Jacques Villeneuve, this year's title favourite, said: "I can't wait to get it on the track. I'm very excited."

The Williams-Renault FW 19
The Williams-Renault FW 19
The Canadian also made some comments which may seem a little out of order at this time since Frank Williams and some others of the Williams team have to face manslaughter charges in Italy regarding the death of Ayrton Senna on May 1 1994. He may however also be right.

He said: "I think it's gone a little overboard on the safety side. If it had been anyone other than Senna who died, there wouldn't have been as much done. Formula One is safe enough. I would like to see us go faster."

Frank Williams was not at all worried about the trial ahead: "It will have no effect at all on myself, on Patrick Head or anyone else involved in the team or in our approach to the season. We will be racing, it will be business as usual."

He also added about the new car: "It's not our car I am worried about. It is not how good it is or isn't. It is how good the other teams are, how much they have improved, which worries me."


Round-up


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