Williams FW20

Last updated
Williams FW20
Williams FW20 front-right 2017 Williams Conference Centre 2.jpg
The FW20 of Heinz-Harald Frentzen on display at Williams Conference Centre
Category Formula One
Constructor Williams
Designer(s) Patrick Head (Technical Director)
Gavin Fisher (Chief Designer)
Brian O'Roake (Chief Composites Engineer)
Mark Tatham (Chief Mechanical Engineer)
Geoff Willis (Head of Aerodynamics)
Jason Somerville (Principal Aerodynamicist)
Nick Alcock (Principal Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor Williams FW19
Successor Williams FW21
Technical specifications
Chassis Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) Williams torsion bar/double wishbone, pushrod
Suspension (rear) Williams coil-spring/double wishbone, pushrod
Engine Renault (branded as Mecachrome) GC37/01 V10 (71°) naturally aspirated mid-engine
Transmission Williams 6-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Power775 hp (578 kW) @ 15,600 rpm [1]
Fuel Castrol
Lubricants Castrol
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Winfield Williams
Notable drivers1. Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jacques Villeneuve
2. Flag of Germany.svg Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Debut 1998 Australian Grand Prix
Last event 1998 Japanese Grand Prix
RacesWins Podiums Poles F/Laps
160300
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Williams FW20 was the car with which the Williams Formula One team competed in the 1998 Formula One World Championship. It was driven by Jacques Villeneuve, the reigning champion, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was in his second year with the team.

Contents

Design

Jacques Villeneuve driving the FW20 at the 1998 Italian Grand Prix Jacques Villeneuve 1998 Italy.jpg
Jacques Villeneuve driving the FW20 at the 1998 Italian Grand Prix

The team was adversely affected by the departure of Chief Designer Adrian Newey to McLaren, and Renault's withdrawal from F1 as an engine supplier. Newey and Renault had made Williams the dominant team of the early and mid-1990s. Newey had departed at the end of 1996, but his input had gone into the FW19 for 1997, so the FW20 was the first Williams car since 1990 that did not directly bear his design, although it cosmetically resembled the FW19. [2] The car was equipped with a Mecachrome-badged version of what was essentially the previous year's engine. Also gone was the highly distinctive blue and white Rothmans livery, as the company had decided to promote its Winfield brand. [3]

At the car's launch, Patrick Head and Geoff Willis admitted that the FW20 was a fairly conservative design but stressed that they were still hopeful of being competitive. [4]

Season summary

1998 was very disappointing compared to the previous championship-winning campaign. The team endured their first winless season since 1988 and finished a distant third in the Constructors' Championship, with three podiums and no wins, a long way behind McLaren and Ferrari. [5]

Villeneuve was unhappy with the season and had no chance to defend his title. He signed with the new British American Racing team for 1999, and Frentzen departed to Jordan after two seasons spent largely in the shadow of his teammate. [6]

Williams used 'Winfield' logos, except at the French, British and German Grands Prix.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

YearTeamEngineTyresDrivers12345678910111213141516PointsWCC
1998 Williams Mecachrome V10 G AUS BRA ARG SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR AUT GER HUN BEL ITA LUX JPN 383rd
Jacques Villeneuve 57Ret4651047633RetRet86
Heinz-Harald Frentzen 35958RetRet15†RetRet954755

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References

  1. ↑ "Engine Mecachrome". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  2. ↑ Nugroho, Aditya (12 May 2017). "Disastrous Defense – 1998 Williams FW20 Mecachrome". DriveTribe. Retrieved 30 January 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ "Rothmans To Discontinue Sponsorship to Williams Formula One Team". www.sportcal.com. Retrieved 30 January 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. ↑ "Williams FW20". www.grandprix.com. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  5. ↑ "Beginning of the end- Williams FW20 #blogpost". Car Throttle. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  6. ↑ "The Revolving Door of Williams". atlasf1.autosport.com. Retrieved 30 January 2020.

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