Williams FW41

Last updated
Williams FW41
FIA F1 Austria 2018 Nr. 18 Stroll.jpg
The FW41, driven by Lance Stroll, during the Austrian Grand Prix
Category Formula One
Constructor Williams – Mercedes
Designer(s)
Predecessor Williams FW40
Successor Williams FW42
Technical specifications [3] [4] [5]
Chassis Carbon-fibre monocoque, laminated from carbon epoxy and honeycomb
Suspension (front)Upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers actuated by push-rods
Suspension (rear)Upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers actuated by pull-rods
Width2,000 mm (79 in)
Height950 mm (37 in)
Engine Mercedes M09 EQ Power+ 1.6 L (98 cu in) direct injection V6 turbocharged engine limited to 15,000 RPM in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
Electric motor Mercedes kinetic and thermal energy recovery systems
Transmission Williams eight speed seamless sequential semi-automatic shift plus reverse gear, gear selection electro-hydraulically actuated
Weight733 kg (1,616 lb)
Fuel Petronas Primax
Brakes AP 6 piston front and 4 piston rear calipers with carbon discs and pads
Tyres Pirelli P Zero (dry)
Pirelli Cinturato (wet)
Dicastal forged magnesium wheels: 13"
Competition history
Notable entrants Williams Martini Racing
Notable drivers18. Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Lance Stroll
35. Flag of Russia.svg Sergey Sirotkin
Debut 2018 Australian Grand Prix
Last event 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
RacesWins Podiums Poles F/Laps
210000

The Williams FW41 is a Formula One racing car designed by Paddy Lowe and Dirk de Beer for the Williams team, to compete in the 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship. [2] The car made its competitive debut at the Australian Grand Prix, and was driven by Lance Stroll in his second season with the team; [6] and Sergey Sirotkin, making his competitive debut in Formula One. [7] The FW41, albeit reliable, lacked the necessary pace to challenge the other cars over the course of the season.

Contents


Design and development

In signing Sergey Sirotkin, Williams formed an alliance with Russian racing outfit SMP Racing, which came with financial investment in the team. While discussing the investment, SMP Racing revealed that under the terms of the agreement their investment would specifically be spent on technical development of the FW41 instead of being used to cover the costs of day-to-day operations. [8]

Testing and development work was carried out by Robert Kubica. The role was Kubica's first with a Formula One team since his 2011 rallying accident that almost resulted in the traumatic amputation of his arm. [9]

The Mercedes-powered Williams FW41 features the mandatory Halo cockpit protection device, painted white so it is incorporated into the team’s livery design, which sports blacker on the front wing, bargeboards and around the sidepods for 2018.

The car had problems with its development mainly being cooling, packaging and the aerodynamics which resulted in its uncompetitiveness.

Competition history

Stroll and Sirotkin in action during the Italian Grand Prix which would turn out to be the only double-points finish for the team that season Sergey Sirotkin, Lance Stroll, 2018 Italian Grand Prix.jpg
Stroll and Sirotkin in action during the Italian Grand Prix which would turn out to be the only double-points finish for the team that season

Williams had finished fifth in the Constructors Championship in both 2016 and 2017, but saw their performance decline severely in 2018. Although the car had good reliability, its pace was poor, and the team ended up at the back of the field mostly fighting the Toro Rossos. Their first points came in Azerbaijan when Stroll finished 8th. The team would not score points again until Italy, when Stroll and Sirotkin finished 9th and 10th respectively. They finished 10th and last in the Constructors' Championship, their lowest ever position. However, the seven points they scored exceeded the five points scored in both 2011 and 2013.

Sponsorship and livery

This was the fifth and final Williams car featuring a Martini livery as the team decided to not renew the sponsorship deal. Alcohol laws meant Williams could not use their red Martini stripes in Abu Dhabi, instead using a blue livery.

Complete Formula One results

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

YearEntrantEngineTyresDriversGrands PrixPointsWCC
AUS BHR CHN AZE ESP MON CAN FRA AUT GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN RUS JPN USA MEX BRA ABU
2018 Williams Martini Racing Mercedes P Sirotkin Ret1515Ret141617151314Ret16121019181613131615710th
Stroll 14141481117Ret17†1412Ret1713914151714121813

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

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References

  1. ↑ "Mid-February reveal for new Williams". formula1.com. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Williams launches 2018 Formula 1 challenger". Speedcafe . 16 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  3. ↑ "Mercedes AMG F1 Power Unit M09 EQ Power+ Technical ref". mercedesamgf1.com. Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  4. ↑ Mitchell, Scott (12 November 2017). "Pirelli to introduce new softest-compound pink-walled F1 tyre in '18". Autosport . Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017.
  5. ↑ "FW41".
  6. ↑ "Williams Martini Racing confirms 2017 Abu Dhabi test driver line-up". Williams Martini Racing. 22 November 2017. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017. Lance, as confirmed race driver for 2018
  7. ↑ Barretto, Lawrence (16 January 2018). "Sergey Sirotkin beats Robert Kubica to 2018 Williams F1 seat". autosport.com. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  8. ↑ Khorounzhiy, Valentin; Freeman, Glenn (9 February 2018). "Sirotkin backing will be spent on development of Williams F1 car". Autosport . Motorsport Network . Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  9. ↑ Barretto, Lawrence (16 January 2018). "Kubica named Williams' reserve driver". Motorsport.com . Motorsport Network . Retrieved 16 January 2018.


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