Williams FW38

Williams FW38

The Williams FW38, driven by Felipe Massa, during the Malaysian Grand Prix
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Williams
Designer(s)	Pat Symonds (Chief Technical Officer) Ed Wood (Chief Designer) Jakob Andreasen (Chief Performance & Operations Engineer) Jason Somerville (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor	Williams FW37
Successor	Williams FW40
Technical specifications [1]
Chassis	carbon-fibre composite and aluminium honeycomb monocoque
Suspension (front)	double wishbones, push-rod actuated springs and dampers, anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear)	same as front
Engine	Mercedes PU106C Hybrid 1.6 L (98 cu in) direct injection V6 (90º) turbocharged engine, limited to 15,000 rpm in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
Electric motor	MERCEDES AMG HPP ERS Mercedes PU106C Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Kinetic (MGU-K) Mercedes PU106C Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Heat (MGU-H)
Transmission	Williams 8-speed sequential semi-automatic Williams paddle-shift 8-speed semi-automatic
Battery	Lithium-ion batteries
Weight	1,548 lbs
Fuel	Petrobras
Brakes	AP Racing ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 6-pot caliper
Tyres	Pirelli P Zero (dry) tyres Pirelli Cinturato (wet) tyres Front:245/660 - 13 / Rear:325/660 - 13
Competition history
Notable entrants	Williams Martini Racing
Notable drivers	19. Felipe Massa 77. Valtteri Bottas
Debut	2016 Australian Grand Prix
Last event	2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 21 0 1 0 0

The Williams FW38 is a Formula One racing car designed by Williams to compete in the 2016 Formula One season. The car was driven by Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas.

During qualifying for the 2016 European Grand Prix, the FW38 set the highest ever recorded speed of a Formula One car during an official session, at 378 km/h (235 mph). ^[2]

During the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix, the FW38 set the second highest ever recorded speed of a Formula One car during a race, at 372.5 km/h (231.5 mph). ^[3]

History

Bottas at the Mexican Grand Prix

The car proved to be competitive in the early stages of the championship, with Massa and Bottas securing points finishes for the first half of the season. However, lack of upgrades on the car meant that the team could not keep up with other teams during the later stages, such as Ferrari, Force India, and Red Bull Racing, and eventually lost 4th place in the constructors' championship to Force India.

Radical rear wing

On 17 May, two days after the Spanish Grand Prix, Williams tested a new radically rear wing design with a winglets on the side; similar to the cars from 1983-1984. The car was test driven by Alex Lynn.

Sponsorhip and livery

For the third year, Williams continued to use the Martini livery as their title sponsor. Alcohol laws meant Williams could not use their red Martini stripes in Abu Dhabi, instead using a blue livery.

At the Brazilian Grand Prix, Massa's car had his name placed on the engine cover and rear wing, in defence to the Martini logos.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Entrant	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	Grands Prix																					Points	WCC
					AUS	BHR	CHN	RUS	ESP	MON	CAN	EUR	AUT	GBR	HUN	GER	BEL	ITA	SIN	MAL	JPN	USA	MEX	BRA	ABU
2016	Williams Martini Racing	Mercedes PU106C Hybrid	P	Felipe Massa	5	8	6	5	8	10	Ret	10	20†	11	18	Ret	10	9	12	13	9	7	9	Ret	9	138	5th
				Valtteri Bottas	8	9	10	4	5	12	3	6	9	14	9	9	8	6	Ret	5	10	16	8	11	Ret

^† Driver failed to finish the race but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.

References

1. "Williams Martini Racing Launches FW38". Williams Martini Racing. 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
2. Collantine, Keith (20 June 2016). "Williams hit record speeds on and off the track". F1Fanatic. Archived from the original on 20 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
3. "Williams clocking second highest fastest speed at 372.5km/h during race". F1Fanatic. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.

External links

• Details about the car from Williams Martini Racing Archived 2016-08-06 at the Wayback Machine