Williams FW44

Williams FW44

Alexander Albon in the Williams FW44 during free practice at the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Williams
Designer(s)	François-Xavier Demaison (Technical Director) Adam Carter (Engineering Director) Dave Wheater (Head of Aerodynamics) David Worner (Design Director) Jonathan Carter (Head of Design)
Predecessor	Williams FW43B
Successor	Williams FW45
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon-fibre monocoque, laminated from carbon epoxy and honeycomb
Suspension (front)	Double wishbone, push-rod activated springs and anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbone, pull-rod activated springs and anti-roll bar
Width	2000mm
Height	970 mm [1]
Engine	Mercedes-AMG M13 E Performance 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	Kinetic and Thermal energy recovery systems
Transmission	Mercedes-AMG 8 forward + 1 reverse gear seamless sequential semi-automatic shift plus reverse gear, gear selection electro-hydraulically actuated
Battery	Lithium-ion battery
Weight	798 kg (1759 lbs)
Fuel	Petronas Primax
Tyres	Pirelli P Zero (dry) Pirelli Cinturato (wet)
Competition history
Notable entrants	Williams Racing
Notable drivers	06. Nicholas Latifi 23. Alexander Albon 45. Nyck de Vries
Debut	2022 Bahrain Grand Prix
Last event	2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 22 0 0 0 0

The Williams FW44 is a Formula One racing car designed and constructed by Williams that competed in the 2022 Formula One World Championship. The car was driven by Nicholas Latifi and Alexander Albon, who were in their third and first years with the team respectively. Nyck de Vries participated in the Italian Grand Prix in the FW44, replacing Albon due to the Thai driver suffering appendicitis. ^[2] The chassis is Williams' first car under the 2022 technical regulations, and their first to be developed wholly under new owners, Dorilton Capital, with Jost Capito at the helm. ^[3]

Design and development

The FW44 was first revealed on 15 February 2022 with a shakedown at Silverstone Circuit. Both Albon and Latifi drove the car. On the same day, Williams launched their new livery for 2022 which was a darker blue design compared to the previous predominantly white cars. ^{[4] [5]}

With 2022 featuring new technical regulations, the FW44 is a significantly different design to the FW43. With a notably tight design around the sidepod radiators, aerodynamics from the front pushing air to the floor which will be generating ground effect. The FW44 once again utilised Mercedes AMG engines, however it is the first Williams to also utilise their gearbox. ^{[6] [7]}

During the first rounds of the season, paint was gradually removed from the FW44 to save weight. Discussions about removing the paint happened, however it did not materialise due to the marketing and sponsorship requirements of the team. ^[8]

At the British Grand Prix, a major update for the FW44 was revealed with a new floor, sidepod design and rear wing. The design was similar to that of the Red Bull. ^{[9] [10]} At the following Grand Prix in Austria, Williams added further revisions to the front suspension of the FW44. ^[11]

Racing performance

At the first round of the season in Bahrain, both Latifi and Albon were able to complete the race. In Saudi Arabia, both cars were involved in collisions but Albon was classified 14th due to the amount of race distance completed. At the third round of the season in Australia, the FW44 picked up its first point with Albon finishing in 10th. ^[12] In Miami, Albon would finish in 9th place adding two more points to the team total. ^[13]

Nicholas Latifi during the British Grand Prix

Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Nyck De Vries took the wheel of the FW44 in FP1. ^[14] He completed 28 laps, and was classified in 18th position ahead of regular driver Nicholas Latifi. ^[15]

At Silverstone, Albon was involved in a major incident at the first corner involving Zhou Guanyu, George Russell and Pierre Gasly. Zhou's Alfa Romeo flipped over the top of Albon's Williams before launching over the tyre wall into the catch fencing. Albon was sent to University Hospital Coventry for checks after the crash, however was released on the same day. ^{[16] [17] [18]}

Complete Formula One results

Key

Key
Colour	Result
Gold	Winner
Silver	Second place
Bronze	Third place
Green	Other points position
Blue	Other classified position
	Not classified, finished (NC)
Purple	Not classified, retired (Ret)
Red	Did not qualify (DNQ)
Black	Disqualified (DSQ)
White	Did not start (DNS)
	Race cancelled (C)
Blank	Did not practice (DNP)
	Excluded (EX)
	Did not arrive (DNA)
	Withdrawn (WD)
	Did not enter (empty cell)
Annotation	Meaning
P	Pole position
F	Fastest lap
Superscript number	Points-scoring position in sprint

Year	Entrant	Power unit	Tyres	Driver name	Grands Prix																						Points	WCC pos.
					BHR	SAU	AUS	EMI	MIA	ESP	MON	AZE	CAN	GBR	AUT	FRA	HUN	BEL	NED	ITA	SIN	JPN	USA	MXC	SAP	ABU
2022	Williams Racing	Mercedes-AMG F1 M13	P	Alexander Albon	13	14†	10	11	9	18	Ret	12	13	Ret	12	13	17	10	12	WD	Ret	Ret	13	12	15	13	8	10th
				Nicholas Latifi	16	Ret	16	16	14	16	15	15	16	12	Ret	Ret	18	18	18	15	Ret	9	17	18	16	19†
				Nyck de Vries																9
Reference: [19] [20]

References

1. Thompson, Neil (15 February 2022). "Williams Mercedes FW44 Technical Specification". The Williams Grand Prix Database. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
2. "Albon ruled out of Italian Grand Prix with appendicitis, as replacement De Vries prepares to make F1 race debut | Formula 1®". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
3. "Formula 1 2022 Technical Regulations" (PDF). Retrieved 20 January 2022.
4. "Recap 2022 Season Launch". Williams F1. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
5. "The FW44 debuts at Silverstone shakedown". Williams F1. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
6. "ANALYSIS: Williams forge their own path with FW44 design". Formula 1. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
7. "Williams FW44 tech rundown with Craig Scarborough". Motorsport Technology. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
8. "Williams engineers asked if entire F1 car could be stripped of paint". Autosport. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
9. "Williams unveils heavily updated FW44 for Albon at Silverstone". Motorsport Web. July 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
10. "How Williams F1 update isn't just a Red Bull clone". Autosport. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
11. "Latest Austrian GP F1 updates revealed". Motorsport. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
12. "Alex Albon reveals Australian Grand Prix tactics after unexpected points finish". The Independent. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
13. "Albon: Miami result "less surprising" than Australia". Autosport. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
14. "De Vries to be 'thrown in the deep' on FP1 bow". Planet F1. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
15. "FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2022 – PRACTICE 1". Formula 1. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
16. "Albon 'pretty much back to normal' after Silverstone crash – as he confirms Williams' update package is 'salvageable'". Formula 1. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
17. "British Grand Prix: Zhou Guanyu and Alex Albon escape major injuries after alarming Silverstone crash". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
18. "Albon released from hospital following Silverstone crash". Planet F1. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
19. "2022 Constructor Standings". Formula1.com. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
20. "Williams FW44". StatsF1. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.