Analysis
Formula 1 Chinese GP
Bite-size tech: Williams FW38 front brake duct amendments
Williams is clearly struggling to unlock the full potential of the FW38, having made changes this year to try to improve low-speed cornering performance.
Edited: May 5, 2021, 4:35 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Giorgio Piola's F1 technical analysis
Giorgio Piola is the preeminent Formula 1 technical journalist. View our full selection of Giorgio's technical illustrative content
One area where the grove-based team seems to be struggling is the temperature sensitivity of Pirelli's tyres, which is exacerbated by the additional compound choice available to all the teams this year during race weekends.
Williams FW38 rear axle
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
We've already seen how the team has made changes at the rear of the FW38 (above), both to the way heat is exchanged with the wheel and how it's dumped once used.
The team did suffer some complications on Friday as it tried to make rudimentary changes to the rear brake ducts, specifically designed to improve performance, Felipe Massa suffering two independent wheel rim and subsequent tyre failures.
Williams FW38 front detail
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
However, in China we've seen it make changes to the front drum too, with a new opening placed in the cake tin above the disc. It's not the first time this aperture has been used, with the FW37 frequently seen utilizing an open section.
However, the metal shielding is new and is most likely used in order to control temperatures even more tightly.
Whilst unlikely it also ensures that the internal workings of the braking system are not compromised by any debris collected on track.
Additional reporting by Matt Somerfield
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article No luck in qualifying result for Haas F1 Team in China
Next article Nasr "100 percent convinced" his chassis is worse than Ericsson's
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Williams
Williams has better cooling vests than anyone – Alex Albon
Formula 1
Formula 1
Williams has better cooling vests than anyone – Alex Albon
James Vowles explains request for review of F1 cost cap
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
James Vowles explains request for review of F1 cost cap
Latest news
Frankie Muniz offers new details on 2027 NASCAR plans
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Talladega
5 min
Frankie Muniz offers new details on 2027 NASCAR plans
Joan Mir remains on the sidelines as Honda forced to race with one rider in Australia
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
16 min
Joan Mir remains on the sidelines as Honda forced to race with one rider in Australia
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe