The new Williams F1 car for 2009 made a low-key debut at Portugal's Portimao test track on Monday.

The FW31, still in its dark blue winter testing livery, was simply wheeled out in front of the Williams garage with test driver Nico Hulkenberg.

Like its 2009 rivals, the car features a wide nose and tall, narrow rear wing.

Williams, who have kept drivers Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima for 2009, will not unveil their car in its full race colours until the end of February.


Williams have committed their future to Formula One following the sport's recent financial uncertainty, but know an improvement on last season's dismal eighth-place finish in the constructors' standings is vital.

The new-look wings on the FW31 are in keeping with those sported by the other cars so far unveiled - Ferrari's F60, Toyota's TF109, McLaren's MP4-24 and Renault's R29.

The FW31 will receive further enhancements ahead of its debut appearance on the grid in Melbourne, Australia, for F1's first race weekend of 2009.


2009 CAR LAUNCH DATES
13 Jan: Ferrari
15 Jan: Toyota
16 Jan: McLaren
19 Jan: Renault & Williams
20 Jan: BMW Sauber
9 Feb: Red Bull







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