Patrick Head, co-founder and engineering director of the Williams F1 team, says he will attend fewer races this season to get to the bottom of the outfit’s worst start to a season ever.
The two FW33’s failed to finish either the Australian or Malaysian races after running into reliability issues, though they fared better in China, despite failing to score points.
Head is of the opinion that he can contribute more to the development by staying at the factory to concentrate on solving the cars reliability problems.
“We have some very good people at all levels on our race team, and I was doubtful that I could add to our work there,” he told MotorSport magazine.
“The unreliability problems are something we should not have, and I suspect I can contribute more with the engineers and technicians in our factory to help eliminate these.
“So I will probably be less present at the track this year. [Though] I shall be taking a keen interest in our progression.”
Head also questioned KERS, pondering whether or not the system would be used past 2011 as the teams weigh up the benefits versus the immense cost.
“I wonder whether the teams will consider it to be an asset to F1 by the end of 2011,” he said. “As an engineer it is extremely interesting technology which has relevance for road vehicles, but added value for racing may be questionable.”
