Williams FW17

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Williams FW17
Williams FW17B
Damon Hill 1995-2.jpg
Damon Hill driving the FW17 at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix
Category Formula One
Constructor Williams (chassis, transmission)
Renault Sport (engine)
Designer(s) Patrick Head (Technical Director)
Adrian Newey (Chief Designer)
Eghbal Hamidy (Chief Aerodynamicist)
Bernard Dudot (Chief Engine Designer (Renault))
Predecessor FW16
Successor FW18
Technical specifications [1] [2]
Chassis Carbon fibre and Kevlar monocoque
Suspension (front)pushrod, bellcrank, torsion spring
Suspension (rear)pushrod, bellcrank, torsion spring
Engine Renault RS7, 2,992 cc (182.6 cu in), V10 (67°) NA mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted
Transmission Williams transverse 6-speed semi-automatic
Power675–700 bhp (503–522 kW; 684–710 PS) @ 15,200-15,600 rpm [3]
Fuel Elf
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Rothmans Williams Renault
Notable drivers5. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Damon Hill
6. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Coulthard
Debut 1995 Brazilian Grand Prix
First win 1995 Argentine Grand Prix
Last win 1995 Australian Grand Prix
Last event1995 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWins Poles F/Laps
175126
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Williams FW17 is a Formula One racing car designed by Adrian Newey, with which the Williams team competed in the 1995 Formula One World Championship. It was driven by Damon Hill, who was in his third year with the team, and David Coulthard, who was in his first full season after a part-time role in 1994.

Contents

Season performance

With what was regarded as the best chassis and aerodynamics in the field combined with the best engine, [4] the 1995 season was disappointing for the team, who were beaten to both titles by Michael Schumacher and Benetton. Although the FW17 was superior in qualifying trim, taking 12 pole positions, Schumacher was usually more competitive on race day. The Benetton team arguably made better strategy decisions during races and Schumacher was able to win nine races against Hill and Coulthard's combined total of five. This situation was not helped by both drivers making several unfortunate errors during the course of the season.

History

For qualifying at the Portuguese Grand Prix, the Williams FW17B was debuted, although not used for the race itself. [5] In the final four races of the season, the FW17B took four pole positions and two victories, but the titles were already just about out of reach due to the success of Schumacher and his Benetton B195.

The team eventually finished second in the Constructors' Championship, with 112 points; both Williams and Benetton had their constructor's points deducted from the Brazilian Grand Prix (6 and 10 points respectively) following an appeal that saw both teams' fuel-related disqualifications overturned from race standings.

The FW17 is notable for being the first Williams car to race with a raised nose, and was the first 'clean sheet' design from the team since 1991 (as the car's two predecessors had been evolutions of the FW14), owing to the new technical regulations for the 1995 season.

During an interview with Top Gear in 2012, Coulthard spoke positively about the FW17, saying that it was his favourite out of the cars he had driven in his career. [6]

Damon Hill driving the FW17 at the 1995 British Grand Prix. Damon Hill 1995 Britain.jpg
Damon Hill driving the FW17 at the 1995 British Grand Prix.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

YearTeamChassisEngineTyresDrivers1234567891011121314151617Pts.WCC
1995 Rothmans Williams Renault Renault RS7
V10 		G BRA ARG SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR EUR PAC JPN AUS 1122nd
FW17 Damon Hill Ret1142Ret2RetRet12Ret3
FW17BRet3Ret1
FW17 David Coulthard 2 ^ Ret4RetRetRet3322RetRet1
FW17B32RetRet

^ – Coulthard's second place at the Brazilian Grand Prix did not count towards Constructors' Championship points as the FIA did not reinstate the constructor's points after the initial disqualification due to fuel irregularities was overturned.

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References

  1. ↑ "Williams FW17". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  2. ↑ "Williams FW17B". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  3. ↑ "3rd Naturally-Aspirated Era (3NA), Part 2, 1995-2000 (end of this review)" (PDF). grandprixengines.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  4. ↑ Henry, Alan, ed. (1995). AUTOCOURSE 1995-96. Hazleton Publishing. p. 49. ISBN   1-874557-36-5.
  5. ↑ "Portuguese GP, 1995". grandprix.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  6. ↑ Top Gear (3 July 2012). "Brundle and Coulthard Q&A Part 2 - Top Gear - BBC". Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2017– via YouTube.
Awards
Preceded by Autosport
Racing Car Of The Year
1995		Succeeded by
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