Williams team-mates Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas are both confident that the Grove outfit has made gains with its 2013 compared to last year’s.
The outfit impressed in the opening races with Maldonado challenging Fernando Alonso for fifth place in Australia, before crashing on the final lap. Bruno Senna then secured sixth at the following race before their highlight of the season at the Spanish GP saw Maldonado take their first win since 2004.
That proved the FW34 was a good car, and rookie Bottas is certain they’ve made progress with the FW35.
“There is a nice feeling with the car,” he said on Tuesday. “The first time I went out, with the first proper run, you could feel the improvements in the car from last year.
“It feels like a different car. I think we understand it now quite well. So, so far so good.”
His Venezuelan team-mate was slightly less enthusiastic, but admitted he was happy with how testing had gone for the team.
“I am quite happy about the tests, because we had four less days than the other teams,” he added.
“The car is quite good. There is a great feeling – and I think and I hope it is quick.”
