After another impressive showing in Friday practice, Williams are set to test some “interesting” features on the FW30 in the final warm up, according to Nico Rosberg.
The German driver paced solidly in the top ten for most of the two sessions, eventually winding up eleventh and eight respectively, the FW30 showing no signs of being hampered by it’s newly revised ‘bridge’ front wing, which appeared in deference to FIA concerns that the component – also featured by Toyota, Renault and Red Bull – was illegally flexing at speed.
Rosberg was satisfied with his day’s running and is expecting to be competitive in qualifying and the race after further developments to the car on Saturday.
“We did a lot of set-up work today as the lower downforce level here takes some getting used to, but we have found a good direction with a definite improvement over the day,” enthused the German.
“We also managed some good tyre tests too where we definitely learned something, so it’s been a good start to the weekend.
“We’re looking relatively competitive but we still need to do our homework tonight and we also have some interesting things to test tomorrow morning for qualifying. Overall I am confident.”
Although it remains to be seen what these new additions are, it will be interesting to see if Williams reintroduce their take on the Red Bull inspired engine ‘fin’, which the team abandoned in the high downforce settings of Monaco, but which could yield benefits around Montreal with its comparatively higher speeds.
The component, which is designed to improve airflow to the rear wing even when the tail is sliding or in cross winds, could prove useful if the winds that hit the track on Friday morning choose to interfere with proceedings in qualifying and the race.
Rosberg meanwhile will be hoping to make amends for last year when he was one of several drivers to get caught out by the new safety car regulations. He was forced to refuel while the pit-lane was closed and could manage no better than tenth after being penalised for his pit-stop.
