Seeing them complete the final slots in so many Grand Prix recently, you would be forgiven for thinking the WilliamsF1 team was not particularly good. Many have forgotten that WilliamsF1 is one of the most successful teams in Formula One
WilliamsF1 is a Formula One (F1) racing team and constructor, founded by Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head and known for its FW series of chassis. The team was established in 1977 after two previous unsuccessful F1 ventures, Frank Williams Racing Cars and Walter Wolf Racing.
WilliamsF1 made its debut at the 1978 Argentine Grand Prix and claimed its first victory at the 1979 British Grand Prix with driver Clay Regazzoni. The team went on to win a total of nine Constructors’ Championships between 1980 and 1997, making it one of only four teams (alongside Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren) to have won 100 races in F1 history. The team’s 100th victory came at the 1997 British Grand Prix with driver Jacques Villeneuve.
WilliamsF1 has had many notable drivers throughout its history, including Keke Rosberg, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Alain Prost, Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna, and Jacques Villeneuve. All of these drivers, with the exception of Senna, won at least one Drivers’ Championship while racing for Williams.
In 1994, Senna died in a crash while racing for Williams at the San Marino Grand Prix, and team owner Frank Williams, Patrick Head, and designer Adrian Newey were later accused of manslaughter. The case was eventually closed in 2005, with Williams, Head, and Newey being cleared of any wrongdoing.
