Claire Williams is convinced her Grove-based team are heading back to the top of Formula 1.

With Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa finishing third and fourth in the Austrian Grand Prix following a front-row lock-out in qualifying, Williams collected their largest haul of points (33) from a race since the new scoring system was introduced in 2010.

After the worst season in Williams’s history last year, the tide has turned on the back of the new regulations introduced this campaign, and an active recruitment programme.

Speaking about the team’s improved form ahead of this Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, deputy team principal Williams said: “It’s been a combination of factors.

“We had a great team before those guys came in, but it was a case of augmenting that with more support at a senior level.”

Over the past year Williams have signed Pat Symonds as chief technical officer, Rob Smedley as head of vehicle development and Jakob Andreasen as head of engineering operations.

Along with a number of other behind-the-scenes app-ointments, the pool of talent at Williams is now considerable and has propelled the team forward.

Williams said: “Having Pat, Rob, Jakob and a number of other guys behind the scenes as well who we brought in, supporting the talent we have, has been a game-changer for us.

“It’s all about momentum as well “And with team morale at a really high level now, it all goes to build to your position, and that is where we are as a team.”

Williams appreciates, however, the team has to build on the result at Austria’s Red Bull Ring track, adding: “There is so much positive momentum.

“We have to embrace that, capitalise on it so we make the most of it for the rest of the season.

“Everyone believes this team can get back to the top, and you have to believe in that in order to do it.”