In typically understated fashion, the Williams team have unveiled their new 2012 contender, taking the sheets off the Renault-powered FW34 shortly before the start of the opening day of pre-season testing in Jerez.
The new Williams is the result of a series of sweeping in the team on the back of their dreadful 2011 campaign.
The Grove team completely overhauled their technical staff, bringing in former McLaren man Mike Coughlan and Mark Gillan to lead development of their new car.
The new Williams features the new 2012-spec nose section, with a stepped part running down to the front of the car, as well as a funkily-modelled front wing arrangement.
The team has also made changes to the rear of the car to conform with the new top-exiting exhaust rules.
The FW34 represents the first Renault-powered Williams car since their last title win in 1997 with Jacques Villeneuve, after the team secured a deal for customer engines from the French manufacturer last year.
Williams will campaign two cars for Bruno Senna and Pastor Maldonado in 2012, with the Brazilian replacing Rubens Barrichello at the team.
Speaking about the new car, team owner Sir Frank Williams hailed the 2012 campaign as a "fresh start" for his team after years in the doldrums.
"One could say that looking at the Williams F1 Team today we are off to a truly fresh start," he grinned excitedly at the sight of two paydrivers standing with his car.
"We have a new car, new driver line up, new engine and new senior personnel. We also have a number of new partners who have joined the team in the past few months. "
He went on: "I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome them formally and sincerely wish that they have an enjoyable and, most importantly, a valuable experience with us.
"The team has had a good winter at the factory and we feel ready and strong for the fight."
Meanwhile Gillan said that the team's aim for the season would have to be to show "continuous improvement" with their new car, as the team strives to reassert itself in the sport.
"It is imperative that we demonstrate a continuous improvement in our performance and deliver results throughout the season," he rambled.
"The factory has worked extremely hard over the winter to ensure that the car met its design, build and rig test targets."
He added: "We will be working hard with our three exciting young drivers [including reserve driver Valtteri Bottas] to ensure that we maximise and unlock the full potential of the FW34."
The squad will be hoping for better fortunes than in 2011, when they scored a mere five points across the 19 races.
Maldonado will debut the car on track throughout Tuesday's test running.
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