Williams FW31

The Williams FW31 is a Formula One motor racing car, designed and built by WilliamsF1. The AT&T Williams team used the FW31 to compete in the 2009 Formula One season. The car was unveiled on January 19, 2009 at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve circuit in southern Portugal, and was first driven by the team's test driver Nico Hülkenberg. The car was a mid-field runner, in contention for points on many occasions in the hands of Rosberg but rarely contending for podiums. Rosberg may have scored 3rd position in Singapore but for running wide on the exit of the pitlane and receiving a penalty. Many criticized Rosberg for failing to score a pole position while topping the times in practices on numerous occasions, notably in Brazil, when the Williams cars had excelled in practice sessions in wet conditions, but did not produce the same level of performance in qualifying. While Rosberg often scored points and elevated the car to where many will argue that it didn't belong, Rosberg's team mate Nakajima failed to score a point all season and possibly cost the team a higher position in the Championship standings. The team eventually finished 7th.