[jgztw2es]

Remember those test cars were BMW's and there is no set of regulations under which BMW can make good looking cars.

The Williams looks clean, and compact as well considering there is a flywheel KERS underneath. In terms of aesthetics, it is second to McLaren in my book.

Agree, the McLaren and Williams are the best looking so far. Changed my mind about the Renault though

How come the McLaren rear wing looks wider and lower than the rest?

[bataovady]

Due to their strength in mechanical grip I have viewed Williams as a possible dark horse for 2009 season. Obviously not as a championship or race win (on merit) candidate, but consistent points challenge and an odd podium could be achievable. There have been several doubts about Willy's financial situation due to uncertain future of their sponsors, some (Lenovo) have left too. But anyway, they seem ready to race and don't seem to have run out of sponsors either.

[XU8i6ysK]

Those bumps on the external side of the side pods look interesting. I wonder what is under them.

It's probably just an aerodynamic feature.

What really gets me excited about Williams is their KERS program. It seems to be pretty promising. Per grandprix.com, their flywheel solution is twice as energy efficient as the batteries used by rival teams. Its output is said to be 100 kW even though they can only unleash 60 kW in 2009 because of the regulations. And its only 25 kg. If that's true, that is really promising, especially on the long term. This team deserves some success.

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns21123.html
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72865

[XU8i6ysK]

Agree, the McLaren and Williams are the best looking so far. Changed my mind about the Renault though

How come the McLaren rear wing looks wider and lower than the rest?

They changed back to the 2008 config for more downforce. They wanted to play safe in the rain, so they skipped their original program and just ran system checks. Anyway, not every car could be as beautiful as the McLaren. I for one prefer variety and unique solutions and that's exactly what Renault gave us.

[jgztw2es]

Good looking car given the 09 regulations.

I hope the switch from Philips Shavers to the generic Philips brand and the additional Philips logos also mean more sponsorship for the team since a lot of their other sponsors left them.

Williams seem to have been hit particularly badly by the financial crisis as several of their main sonsors last year were owned by the same Icelandic group.. And now RBS are in trouble, their share price took a dive yesterday and they look set to be taken over by the UK goverment.

[Overlord]

Everyone is complaining about the wider noses on the Williams and Renault. I'd say let's wait to see how it does on the track. I didn't particularly like the drooped nose of the Ferrari F2002, but we all know how that car turned out! (And drooping noses followed everywhere...)