Button eyeballs 'big changes' with latest Williams

2009 F1 champion Jenson Button has already spotted a number of changes to the Williams FW47 car compared to its predecessor.

The cars for the upcoming campaign are not expected to undergo significant alterations compared to last year's machines due to it being the final year of the regulation cycle.

Williams launched its new car on Friday from Silverstone as it enters the new season with a revised driver line-up, signing Carlos Sainz to partner Alex Albon.

Sainz took the car out on the track for its initial shakedown, sporting a special launch livery.

Button, who also holds an ambassador role at the Williams squad, stated he noticed a handful of new parts when standing beside the challenger.

“First of all, looks beautiful, it really does,” Button said. 

“As you guys probably know there's not going to be massive changes with any F1 cars in 2025 but there seems to be quite a lot of changes to the FW47, which is great to see.”

Williams ended the 2024 campaign ninth in the constructors' standings, scoring 17 points across the season.

Button highlighted the key areas Williams looked to address over the winter break. 

“Areas they've been working on have been high downforce corners, but also sensitivity,” he said.

“Sensitivity meaning with the downforce, it's very easy to have a peak downforce level which is always exciting to see the number.

“But it's the usable downforce that you really want to have. So in corner downforce, laterally loaded downforce and entry into corners, which gives the drivers a lot of confidence.”