Williams Formula One Auto Racing Team

The Impressive Williams F1 Team

The Williams F1 team, was established by Sir Frank Williams, together with Patrick Head. It was known then, as the Williams Grand Prix Engineering team, and has become one of the three top contenders in the world of Formula One. In its history of Formula One racing, the Williams team has walked away with nine Constructor’s titles. Their first was won in 1980, with their latest Constructors title being won in 1997. The Williams F1 team attended their very first race in 1978, at the Argentine Grand Prix, and it was Clay Regazzoni (from Switzerland) that secured the first race win in 1979 at the British Grand Prix. The Williams team’s 100th win was made possible by Jacques Villeneuve, in 1997, at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Together with McLaren and Ferrari, the Williams team is always amongst the top contenders. The chassis for the Williams F1 team, always have a “FW” followed by a number, which is the initials for the proud, Frank Williams, team owner.

Frank Williams had tried his hand in Formula One, twice before founding Williams F1 in 1977. He previously had two operations, namely Walter Wolf Racing and Frank Williams Racing Cars. But it was the William team that brought him success. Many famous drivers have been behind the wheel of a Williams, and to name a few: Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Keke Rosberg and Ayrton Senna. In 1994, Patrick Head, Frank Williams and the Williams designer, Adrian Newey, faced manslaughter charges, after the tragic and fatal accident at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994, that took Ayrton Senna’s life. The three men were cleared of all charges in 2005.

The Williams team did not only have different drivers that contributed to their success, but also different engines. Williams was able to win five Constructor titles with a Renault engine. Frank Williams did not achieve the success he so desired with his Frank Williams Racing Cars operation. He established the Walter Wolf Racing outfit after many promises from the millionaire, but due to the uncompetitive cars and unfulfilled promises, Williams relocated to Didcot, and the birth of Williams F1 had started. Williams recruited Patrick Head as engineer of his new project and the “William-Head” partnership lasted throughout the years. The following years would see many successes and many disappointments and heartbreaking losses. But despite all the challenges of the changing times, Williams has always come through.

With the 2007 season lying ahead, new changes have yet again come to the Williams F1 team. Toyota was announced as the new engine manufacturer for the team, and the title sponsors will be AT&T, with the Williams F1 team name being changed to AT &T WilliamsF1 Team. Alexander Wurz is set to join driver Nico Rosberg on the grid, with the test drivers being Narain Karthikeyan and Kazuki Nakajima. The Chief Executive of the Williams team, Chris Chapple, will also be replaced by Adam Parr.