WILLIAMS are hoping the momentum gained from last season will see them push Formula 1 constructors’ champions Mercedes to the wire this year.

Following the worst campaign in the Grove-based team’s history in 2013, when they scored just five points, last year saw an impressive turnaround.

Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa claimed nine podiums between them as Williams finished third in the constructors’ championship, behind runaway winners Mercedes and runners-up Red Bull.

And Williams, who released images of their new FW37 car yesterday, are looking to continue the upward curve this year.

Pat Symonds, chief technical officer, said: “I hope as a team we are more capable of maintaining the forward momentum to catch Mercedes than the teams behind us are of catching us.”

Team principal Sir Frank Williams praised the commitment of the staff for turning their fortunes around.

He said: “We have an enormously talented group of people here at Williams who want nothing more than the team to do well.

“This passion produced a great turnaround in fortunes for the team in 2014 and everybody has worked tirelessly to continue that climb up the grid.

“I feel this year will be equally as exciting as the last, and look forward to seeing the car on the grid at the first race.”