Williams to Miss First F1 Test Session of 2013

All Formula 1 teams want to finish development of their new car, for the 2013 season, as quickly as possible, so as to be able to participate in the first test session of the year, which is set to take place at the Jerez circuit, in Spain, from 5 to 8 February.

The British-based team will be making its debut a few weeks later, on February 19, on the very first day of the second testing session of the year. Also, they have announced that they will be using an updated version of the 2012 car, called the FW34, for the first test session, instead.

An official team statement said: "We will be running the FW34 (with 2013 livery) in Jerez to test a number of key development parts in preparation for the launch of the FW35."

For the 2013 season, Williams will retain the Renault-sourced engine for the FW35, as well as Pastor Maldonado as their main driver. Their second driver, however, Bruno Senna, will be replaced by Valtteri Bottas, who has been 'promoted' from the ranks of the team's test drivers' pool.

News Source: autosport.com