Williams are hoping this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix will prove to be a turning point in their so-far troubled Formula One season.
For only the second time since Williams’s first full F1 campaign in 1978, the Grove-based marque have failed to score a point from the opening four grands prix – as was the case in 2011.
It is all a far cry from just over a year ago when Pastor Maldonado ended a seven-and-a-half-year wait for a Williams victory by taking the chequered flag at the Circuit de Catalunya.
Twelve months on and Williams appear to have no chance of replicating such success, although an aero test last week has offered up a degree of hope their fortunes could change.
Rookie Valtteri Bottas, whose best result so far was 11th in Malaysia in March, said: “The win last year in Barcelona was a big motivational boost for everyone and was a good example of what we can achieve when everything comes together.
“We are working hard to get back to that level and, following a good aero test last week at Idiada and a number upgrades coming for this race, hopefully Barcelona can be the start of improved performances for us this year.”
As technical director Mike Coughlan concedes, there are naturally “fond memories” of Maldonado’s victory in Spain a year ago. But they count for nothing, and it is all now about attempting to breathe life into their faltering season.
Coughlan said: “The race is always one we look forward to as it is a track we all know well due to the amount of time spent there during winter testing.
“A lot of engine and chassis decisions are based around Barcelona as teams have so much data from there.
“As the first race back in Europe, traditionally many teams will bring upgrades to their cars, and we are no different.
“Following a successful aero test at Idiada last week, we have a number of upgrades which we will be looking to run over the coming races.”
Since his triumph in Barcelona last May, Maldonado has struggled to even get into the points, managing to do so on just three occasions in 19 races.
Whilst admitting it to be “very special to return to Barcelona”, the 28-year-old Venezuelan knows this weekend is pivotal for the rest of the campaign.
“We are now entering a very important part of the season,” Maldonado said.
“The next couple of races are quite close to the factory, so there will be more opportunities for us to react to our performance on track and make changes to the car.”