Williams

Williams has been competing in Formula 1 since 1977. The British team was founded by Frank Williams and Patrick Head. Frank Williams' daughter, Claire Williams, served as the team principal but stepped down in 2020. As a result, there is no longer any involvement of the Williams family in the team. Dorilton Capital has acquired the team and aims to return Williams to its winning ways. James Vowles is the current team principal, and for the 2023 season, the team will have Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant as its drivers. The team uses a Mercedes engine.

Promising Signs of Revival

In 2021, Williams showed glimpses of a turnaround in their performance. With the FW43B, the team developed a car capable of challenging for points under specific conditions. Wind strength and direction proved to be one of the most influential factors. Russell demonstrated his ability to consistently reach Q2 and even a place in Q3 was not out of reach.

Williams handed over the position of the backmarker to Haas and finished eighth in the championship. The team aims to continue this positive trajectory in the upcoming seasons. A significant restructuring is currently taking place, with the foundation being the acquisition of the team by Dorilton Capital. The investment firm intends to inject substantial funds into the team, allowing it to operate independently and aspire to return to the top teams in the future.

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Valtteri Bottas during the 2015 Canadian Grand Prix. (Photo: Veilleux79)

Early Years of Williams in Formula 1

Williams made its first appearance in Formula 1 during the 1977 season. Patrick Nève raced for the British team that year, but failed to score any points. The team also did not have its own car at that time. In 1978, that changed when Patrick Head designed Williams' first own car, and the team finished second in the United States Grand Prix. In 1979, the team showed strong performance as Alan Jones won four races. His teammate, Clay Regazzoni, also won a race, and Williams finished second in the constructors' championship. In the following years of 1980 and 1981, the British team claimed the first-place title. It was not until 1986, with Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, that Williams achieved the top spot again.

Most Successful Period

The most successful period for Williams in Formula 1 was between 1991 and 1998. During that time, the team claimed the first-place title in the constructors' championship five times and finished second twice. The successful era concluded with a third-place finish in 1998, although the team did not secure a race win that year. The next victory came in 2001 when Ralf Schumacher won the Malaysian Grand Prix. Williams hasn't achieved a first-place finish in the constructors' championship since 1997, but the team did finish third in 2015.