Williams Releases Images Of 2021 F1 Car After Hackers Spoil Special AR Launch

Williams has unveiled the FW43B, their challenger for the 2021 Formula 1 season, and along with the technical changes comes an all-new blue, white, and yellow color scheme.

The original plan for the FW43B’s launch was to use an augmented reality (AR) app instead of a more traditional unveiling. The app could be downloaded on your device, then when the car was unveiled, you would be able to see it from all angles.

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Where the trouble came about, however, was when people discovered the car hidden in the app’s code and extracted the model to view it ahead of the launch. Williams got word of this, and decided to scrap the AR launch altogether and remove the app from both the Apple App Store and the Android Google Play store.

Williams driver George Russell voiced his disappointment on Twitter: “Massive shame. I’ve seen the app and it was going to be an awesome experience for you guys. Whoever did this, seriously not cool.” However, we did still get a chance to see how the app would have worked, as Russell posted a video of him using it on another account.

https://twitter.com/OfficialGR63/status/1367864033047678976

The FW43B is supposed to usher in a new era for the British team, as it’s their first full season since their 1977 inception to not be under the ownership of founder Sir Frank Williams following its acquisition by US-based investment company Dorilton Capital. The car’s technical changes are relatively minimal, as the real overhaul comes with next year’s sporting regulation changes.

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Newly appointed Williams Racing CEO, Jost Capito, said: “Williams Racing is a sporting icon, and a team that has forged a reputation of success through sheer determination and grit intertwined with innovation, passionate and skillful race-craft and an absolute desire to win. Highs and lows are typical in any long-established sporting brand’s journey and historic success can be a strong motivator, but it cannot be relied upon to define future success in the modern era of Formula One.

“Therefore, we have created a fresh new livery for the 2021 car; one that acknowledges our incredible past and retains the spirit, drive and motivation that remains at the core of Williams’ DNA yet looks to the future and signposts our long-term ambition to return to the front of the grid. Whilst we are just starting out on this journey and there is still a lot of work to do, we are happy to see momentum in the right direction and look forward to continuing that progress on track this season.”