The “F1” movie utilized Williams’ wind tunnel for the depiction of car development, though the FIA investigated the team to see if there was a performance advantage gained.
The movie producers focused on realism throughout the development of the film. It features current drivers, teams, and race tracks, along with approval from movie producer, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
Additionally, the producers asked the Williams team for permission to use its facilities, a move to replicate a key part of car development for the movie.
“They approached us, because they could have done a [film] set from what I understood, but actually wanted to replicate or be in exactly the environment,” team principal James Vowles told the Times.
The Grove-based racing team accepted the request, opting to lend its tunnel for the movie’s production.
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F1 and the FIA established strict rules about wind tunnel usage and car development, which prompted an investigation to see if the team gained any more knowledge from having the movie’s racing car tested in the tunnel.
The FIA found Williams did not gain an advantage from the car being tested since it was very different from the current-day F1 car.
The fictional F1 team in the movie is called APXGP, and the car is a modified Formula 2 car. The FIA determined it was different enough from Williams’s 2024 title challenger.
Vowles reported that there was a disruption that affected the team’s workflow.
“It’s quite difficult for us nowadays to effectively extract everything that we need to [for Williams’ work in the wind tunnel], stop our programs and bring them in,” he admitted.
“There’s a limited number of [wind tunnel] ‘fan on’ time, so you can work around that. It is disruptive, but it was for a really important project.”
Vowles stated there was a payment made to the team, though it was insignificant.
“We didn’t make any money out of it. That’s not the purpose behind it, and nor would it be,” he said.
“Taking our own program out of the tunnel for four days is not the best thing that you can be doing in a competitive year.”
Williams ended up finishing the season in ninth place, netting 17 points during the season. This season, they are up to fifth place almost halfway through the season.
Vowles has led the team to 55 points, their highest total in years, and secured a massive contract extension that will allow him to continue to work with the team.
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