Williams updates key to qualifying pace and podium goal

Although Valtteri Bottas was only third quickest in qualifying, Sebastian Vettel's five-place grid penalty promotes him to the front row for Sunday's race in Sochi.

Smedley said that this was a track the team had targeted to go well at, and that the circumstances of issues for Vettel and Lewis Hamilton played into its hands.

"We thought that this was a track that would suit us," said Smedley. "With the bits and pieces we brought here – the new front wing and new nose, which we've been working on developing.

"With the aerodynamic upgrades, we've been concentrating on getting the car really hooked up around here, and so far so good.

"It's a very high power sensitivity [track], so the more power you've got, the better it is – coupled with the less drag you've got.

"More than that, we've also got the tyres working. We were one of the few who could get them warmed up yesterday, and again today – we were almost getting the first lap out of them by the end of qualifying. That's something we've been working on over the weekend."

Smedley admitted that low-speed corners continue to be a problem for the team, but believed that progress was being made there too.

"Our last sector time, compared with the Red Bulls who you'd expect to be good around there, we're not too bad," he added. "There's still a way to go on that, but we're chipping away at it.

"We haven't had the greatest start to the season, but if we can get a podium here – and turn it around – that will be good for us."

Bottas upbeat about his chances

After qualifying third, Bottas said that he was encouraged the team had pulled away from the Red Bull squads that had been threatening it in recent races.

Bottas said: "I think this season it is extremely difficult to try to beat Ferrari and Mercedes of course, it is nice today – we are clear of Red Bull and Toro Rosso who have been challenging us in the past races – I am pleased with the result and it gives us a good position for the race tomorrow to make some good points.

"We need those points so I am pleased with today, it is about team work and bringing results and people at the factory doing a good job.

"The updates they bring here they help us a bit and the track suits us better than the first three races – it is a combination of both. I really hope – it has to be better in forthcoming races so we have to keep progressing."