F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Williams Unveils Exotic Gulf Livery Ahead of Marina Bay Street Circuit Race

Williams has revealed a stunning new livery for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, as the team looks to capitalise on the recent success Alex Albon has had. This year, the Williams FW45 adorned with the Gild Livery is scheduled to participate in the Singapore, Japanese, and Qatar Grands Prix.  The "Bolder than Bold" design for Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant's vehicles was voted the victor by Williams fans from among four possible liveries. The competition was conducted in collaboration with Gulf Oil International. Albon stands as the only Williams driver to have achieved a championship point during the current season, while Logan Sargeant is getting used to his first season in the realm of Formula 1. From Monza two weeks ago to southeast Asia a fortnight later - for a night race on a street circuit - the teams have completed the European leg of the season with the starting of the Singapore Grand Prix.

F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Williams Gulf Livery Competition

Fans voted on four potential livery designs in May and ultimately settled on the one you see below. The scheme eschews the classic stripe patterns of John Wyer's Ford GTs and Porsche 917s in lieu of crisp modern features more appropriate for a contemporary Formula One vehicle, in contrast to the Gulf colours seen on Aston Martin sports car races during the 2010s.

Also Read: F1: McLaren Unveils Special 'Stealth' Livery Ahead of Singapore and Japanese Grand Prix

Singapore, we're ready pic.twitter.com/OCSRolrMN3

— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) September 15, 2023

Since the commencement of the season, Williams has had sponsorship from Gulf and consistently presents a blue vehicle. However, the use of a dark blue shade is more representative of the team's overall aesthetic rather than being specifically tied to any one sponsor. In the forthcoming races in Singapore, Japan, and Qatar, the vehicle will only be painted this lighter blue. Subsequently, the team will go back to its customary hue.

Throughout the 2023 season, Williams has constantly shown commendable progress with small enhancements. The team's present ranking of seventh in the championship is supported by the accumulation of 21 points attributed to Alex Albon. Albon has accumulated all but four of the team's total points in the preceding two seasons.

F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Track Layout Change

Despite the inherent difficulty of Formula 1 as a sport, the Singapore Grand Prix is often regarded as the most difficult event in the racing season. Since its inception in 2008, the Marina Bay Street Circuit has served as the venue for the Formula 1 race, with several drivers expressing the view that the Singapore Grand Prix is the most demanding competition of the season due to the challenging combination of high temperatures, humidity, and a complex track layout. 

Also Read: F1: Toto Wolff Says Mercedes Need McLaren, Aston Martin-Type Upgrade to Beat Red Bull in 2024

The circuit configuration for this year is the most substantial change since the street track was built, although other design changes have been done since then. Currently, the last sector does not possess any corners. The elimination of Turns 16, 17, 18, and 19 during the construction of the multipurpose outdoor arena NS Square means that the track will no longer pass immediately underneath the grandstand at the conclusion of a lap. The original Turns 20 and 21 chicane will now be replaced by the new Turns 16 and 17, which will run from Turn 15.