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Williams FW07

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Williams FW07
Williams FW07B
Williams FW07C
Williams FW07D
The FW07C at the Oldtimer Festival
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorWilliams
Designer(s)Patrick Head (Technical Director)
Neil Oatley (Chief Designer)
Frank Dernie (Head of Aerodynamics and R&D)
PredecessorFW06
SuccessorFW08
Technical specifications
ChassisAluminium monocoque
Suspension (front)Lower wishbones and inboard springs
Suspension (rear)Lower wishbones and inboard springs
EngineFord-Cosworth DFV 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in) V8 naturally aspirated mid-mounted
Transmission1979: Hewland FGB 5-speed manual
1980-1982: Hewland FGA 400 5-speed manual
Weight1979: 579 kg
1980: 585 kg
1981–1982: 540 kg
FuelMobil
TyresGoodyear (1979–1982)
Michelin (1981)
Competition history
Notable entrantsWilliams
Notable driversAustralia Alan Jones,
Switzerland Clay Regazzoni,
Argentina Carlos Reutemann,
South Africa Desiré Wilson,
United States Kevin Cogan,
United Kingdom Rupert Keegan,
Spain Emilio de Villota
United States Mario Andretti
Debut1979 Spanish Grand Prix
First win1979 British Grand Prix
Last win1981 Caesars Palace Grand Prix
Last event1982 United States Grand Prix West
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
4315815
Constructors' Championships2 (1980 & 1981)
Drivers' Championships1 (Alan Jones, 1980)

The Williams FW07 was a ground effect Formula One racing car designed by Patrick Head, Frank Dernie, and Neil Oatley for the 1979 F1 season.[1]

Design

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1979

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It was closely based on the Lotus 79, even being developed in the same wind tunnel at Imperial College London. Some observers, among them Lotus aerodynamicist Peter Wright felt the FW07 was little more than a re-engineered Lotus 79, just having a stiffer chassis.[2] The car was small and simple and extremely light, powered by the ubiquitous Ford Cosworth DFV. It had very clean lines and seemed to be a strong challenger for the new season, but early reliability problems halted any serious threat for the title. While not the first to use ground effects in Formula One, an honour belonging to Colin Chapman and the Lotus 78 (the Lotus 79's predecessor), Dernie may have had a better grasp of the principles than even Chapman.[3] While Head had been developing the Lotus 78's/79's basic principles in the FW07, Chapman's design team was attempting to take the ground effect idea further ahead of rivals on the Lotus 80 engaging the entire bottom of the chassis as an aerodynamic device for generating downforce without the necessity of external wings. Since the Lotus 80 solution had many drawbacks, Chapman devised the twin-chassis concept of Lotus 86 and 88 that should have solved the issues, but it was never allowed to race due to failure to comply with existing technical rules.

When the British Grand Prix at Silverstone came around, chief designer Frank Dernie had designed and implemented a system that ensured that the car's all-important skirts touched the ground at all times and had also corrected some aerodynamic leakage at the back of the chassis between the French and British Grand Prix.

1980

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The FW07 became FW07B in 1980, and Alan Jones, now with Carlos Reutemann, developed the FW07 further, working especially on setup and suspension strengthening. The car was now so efficient in creating downforce from its ground effect design that the front wings were unnecessary.

At the 1980 French Grand Prix, Alan Jones used for the first time (in a race) a specially prepared John Judd developed Cosworth DFV. Previously Williams had used "development" DFVs allocated by Cosworth to constructors who were judged to provide the best potential to win races against Renault and Ferrari. Modified in John Judd's workshops in Rugby, the Judd-DFV featured an advanced camshaft/cylinder head design which allowed for greater revs than even a development DFV, producing 500-510 BHP at 11,400 RPM compared to 10,800 RPM of a standard DFV. Since both the Renault turbo V6 produced 520 BHP and the Alfa V12 around 525 BHP, it meant that from the French GP onwards both Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann had a power deficit of just 10-15 BHP compared to the factory based Alfas and Renaults, which gave both Jones and Reutemann a fighting chance on power sensitive circuits such as Hockenheim, the Osterreichring, Zandvoort and Imola. The Williams had the advantage of only requiring a fuel tank size of 173 litres, where the Renault needed a 215 litre fuel tank and the Alfa around 205 litres, effectively giving the 1980 Williams FW07 a superior power to weight ratio.

1981

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The FW07B evolved into the FW07C for 1981, and further work was done to the suspension, especially after the FIA banned the moveable skirts needed for effective ground effect. The hydraulic suspension systems were developed by Jones, who hated the rock hard suspension. During a winter test session at the Paul Ricard Circuit in the south of France, he suggested to Frank Williams that to compensate for the harsh ride and the pounding the driver gets while driving the car that he "put suspension on the seat", which Frank thought was a good idea. However, he then replied that Jones should sit on his wallet. 'Yeah,' drawled the tough Aussie, 'then give me something to put in it!'[4] Jones temporarily left Formula One because of the extremely unpleasant ride the FW07C gave, he later described driving the car as "wrecking the internals".[5]

BBC's Horizon series followed the team during winter testing, and later produced the film Gentlemen, Lift Your Skirts which was broadcast during 1981. The film featured extensive behind the scenes footage of the team at work and interviews with the drivers, Frank Williams and Patrick Head.[6]

FW07D

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The FW07D was an experimental six-wheeled test car (four driven rear wheels, and two undriven front wheels) tested by Alan Jones on a single occasion at the Donington Park circuit. With the FW07D proving the concept, its unique design was incorporated into the six-wheeled FW08B.[7][8]

Racing history

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1979

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The Williams FW07 (1979).

The car made its debut at the Spanish Grand Prix at Jarama in 1979, the fifth round of the season and the first European round after the non-ground effect FW06 was used for the first four rounds in the Americas and South Africa. The car proved to be reasonably competitive; Australian Alan Jones put the car 13th at Jarama and then 4th for the next round in Belgium; he even led 16 laps of the race before retiring with electrical failure. At the British Grand Prix, Jones stuck the revised Williams on pole and was immediately 2 seconds faster than the next fastest car. The car served to make Team Williams a contender for the first time; Jones retired with fuel pump failure and his Swiss teammate Clay Regazzoni won his last Grand Prix and first since 1976. [3] Jones then won 4 of the next 5 Grand Prix in Germany, Austria, Holland and Canada in a car that was so much quicker than any of the others, particularly around high-speed circuits. But because the car's competitiveness came only at mid-season, Jones and Williams lost the driver's and constructor's championships to South African Jody Scheckter and Ferrari, respectively. But the FW07's competitiveness meant that Williams was a top contender for the 1980 season and beyond.[9]

The Williams FW07B (1980).

1980

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Regazzoni was replaced by Carlos Reutemann. While the latter and Williams's other driver, Alan Jones, formed a successful partnership, they were not comfortable with each other. Jones won five races in Argentina, France, Britain, Canada and Watkins Glen in the USA to win his only world championship, while Reutemann won at a wet race in Monaco. Williams won also their first Constructors' Championship. The main challenge to the FW07 came from Nelson Piquet in Brabham's neat BT49.[10]

1981

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This time it was Reutemann who challenged Piquet for the championship, narrowly missing out in the final race, but Williams took home the constructors' championship after four more wins. The FW07C was the second fastest car of 1981, behind the Renault RE30, but the Williams was more reliable.[2]

Alan Jones lost two potential victories at Monaco and Hockenheim when fuel pressure "hunting" caused the Cosworth DFV to misfire badly, costing the Australian not just wins but also possibly the 1981 World Drivers Championship. The misfiring which afflicted Jones was caused by the high G forces and acceleration generated by the venturi derived ground effects which caused the fuel in the tank to slosh about so violently that the fuel pump was unable to provide the fuel lines with adequate supply. Carlos Reuetemann also had a similar problem in the French Grand Prix in 1981 when he was in a strong position to finish in the points, and this misfire might also have cost Williams the 1981 Drivers Championship as well.

1982

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After Jones retired, Williams took on Keke Rosberg in 1982. His mercurial driving seemed to suit the FW07, which although it was now three years old, was still competitive. After 15 wins, 300 points, one drivers' and two constructors' titles the FW07 was replaced by the similarly engineered FW08 from early 1982.

Historic racing

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The Williams FW07 and its variants have been regular fixtures in historic racing. The FW07C won the FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship in 2016, 2018 and 2021, while the FW07B won the championship in 2017.

Longhorn LR02

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Rights to the FW07's design were acquired by Bobby Hillin, owner of the IndyCar team Longhorn Racing.[11] Longhorn Racing built a Williams FW07 copy named Longhorn LR02, with minor adjustments to comply with CART and Indianapolis 500 rules. The car ran in 1981 with Al Unser at the wheel. It achieved a best result of 2nd at the 1981 CART Mexico round. It started the 1981 Indianapolis 500 on the third row in 9th, but finished only 17th.[12][13]

The car was later sold and turned into a Can-Am car in 1985,[14] with the addition of a 5.0L Chevrolet engine and extensive bodywork, then sold again and raced in SCCA.[13]

Chassis log

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(Information current as of 2024)

  • FW07: four built (FW07/1–FW07/4); all still in existence[15]
    • FW07/1: Displayed at Long Beach in April 1979.[16] Used by Jones to win the non-championship Gunnar Nilsson Memorial Trophy at Donington Park, and later driven by him to victory at Zandvoort, both in 1979. Also raced by Jones at Jarama, Zolder and Silverstone (pole position), and used by him in practice at Monaco (crashed) and Dijon-Prenois, all in 1979. Raced by Regazzoni at the Österreichring, Monza (fastest lap), Montréal and Watkins Glen, again all in 1979.[16][17][18] Acquired by RAM Racing, which raced it in 1980 and 1982.[15][17][18] Later returned to Williams,[15] and exhibited as part of the Williams Grand Prix Collection.[16] Subjected to a ground-up restoration by John Cadd of JC Historics in 2013/2014.[16] Displayed at Silverstone for 40th anniversary of Williams in June 2017, and auctioned in 2018.[16] Demonstrated by Dario Franchitti at the Red Bull Showrun in Jeddah ahead of the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021.[19][20] Demonstrated by Martin Brundle on the Jeddah circuit during the ensuing race weekend.[21] Owned by Dallah Al-Baraka as of 2021.[19][20]
    • FW07/2: Driven for the Williams team only by Regazzoni, including to the team's first (and his final) F1 win, at Silverstone (also fastest lap) in 1979. Also raced by him at Jarama, Zolder, Monaco, Dijon-Prenois, and Zandvoort, all in 1979.[22][23] Purchased by RAM Racing, which took it to race meetings in 1980, 1981 and 1982.[15][22][23] but later returned it to Williams,[15] where it has since been exhibited as part of the Williams Grand Prix Collection.[16] Still part of that collection as of 2018.[15][16]
    • FW07/3: Only FW07 chassis not to win a GP.[15] Raced by Jones at Monaco and Dijon-Prenois in 1979. Used for the rest of that year only in practice by Jones at Silverstone, Hockenheim, and Montréal, and by both drivers at the Österreichring (Jones crashed), Monza and Watkins Glen.[24][25] Acquired by RAM Racing, which raced it in 1980.[15][24][25] and later returned it to Williams.[15] Owner "'[n]ot disclosed" as of 2024.[15]
    • FW07/4: Driven by Jones to wins at Hockenheim, the Österreichring, and Montréal (also pole position, fastest lap) in 1979, and at Buenos Aires (also pole position, fastest lap) in 1980. Also raced by Jones at Monza and Watkins Glen (also pole position) in 1979. Used by him only in practice at Zandvoort in 1979, and served as the unused spare car at São Paulo in 1980.[26][27][28][29] Was then the team's number one test car until crashed by Jones (tyre failure) during testing at Donington Park in June 1980. Subsequently exhibited in Saudi Arabia by team sponsors. Sold to Western Australian businessman Peter Briggs in 1981. Displayed at York Motor Museum for two decades; also briefly at Adelaide in 1985, and in Fremantle.[28][29] Sold to Melbourne aviation engineer Paul Faulkner in 2010; he later fully restored it with considerable assistance from Jones' former Williams mechanic Wayne Eckersley.[29] Stripped and rebuilt with a new engine by restorer Fifteen Eleven in England in 2021, and then demonstrated by drivers including David Coulthard, Emerson Fittipaldi and Damon Hill as the first F1 car to drive on the Jeddah circuit, at that year's inaugural Saudi Arabian GP weekend.[21][30][31]
  • FW07B: seven built (FW07B/5–FW07B/10 and FW07B/6-R); FW07B/6 written off, others all still in existence[32]
    • FW07B/5: Driven by Reutemann to victory at Monaco (also fastest lap), and also raced by him at Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Kyalami, Long Beach, Zolder, Jarama, Paul Ricard, Brands Hatch and Hockenheim, all in 1980. Used by Jones only in practice at the Österreichring (crashed), Montréal and Watkins Glen, and served as his unused spare car at Zandvoort, also all in 1980.[33][34]
  • FW07C: five built (FW07C/11, FW07C/12, FW07C/14, FW07C/15 and FW07C/17); all still in existence[35]
  • FW07D: one built (FW07D/16); still in existence[36]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

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

Year Entrant Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1979 Albilad-Saudia Racing Team FW07 Ford Cosworth DFV G ARG BRA RSA USW ESP BEL MON FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN USA 75* 2nd
Alan Jones Ret Ret Ret 4 Ret 1 1 1 9 1 Ret
Clay Regazzoni Ret Ret 2 6 1 2 5 Ret 3 3 Ret
1980 Albilad-Saudia Racing Team FW07
FW07B 		Ford Cosworth DFV G ARG BRA RSA USW BEL MON FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN USA 120 1st
Alan Jones 1 3 Ret Ret 2 Ret 1 1 3 2 11 2 1 1
Carlos Reutemann Ret Ret 5 Ret 3 1 6 3 2 3 4 3 2 2
RAM Penthouse Rizla Racing FW07 Rupert Keegan 11 DNQ 15 DNQ 11 DNQ 9
RAM Rainbow Jeans Racing FW07 Kevin Cogan DNQ
RAM Theodore FW07 Geoff Lees DNQ
Brands Hatch Racing FW07 Desiré Wilson DNQ
1981 TAG Williams Racing Team FW07C Ford Cosworth DFV M
G 		USW BRA ARG SMR BEL MON ESP FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN CPL 95 1st
Alan Jones 1 2 4 12 Ret 2 7 17 Ret 11 4 3 2 Ret 1
Albilad Williams Racing Team Carlos Reutemann 2 1 2 3 1 Ret 4 10 2 Ret 5 Ret 3 10 8
Equipe Banco Occidental FW07 M Emilio de Villota EX
1982 TAG Williams Racing Team FW07C Ford Cosworth DFV G RSA BRA USW SMR BEL MON DET CAN NED GBR FRA GER AUT SUI ITA CPL 58* 4th
Carlos Reutemann 2 Ret
Keke Rosberg 5 DSQ 2
Mario Andretti Ret

* 4 points in 1979 scored using the FW06
* 44 points in 1982 scored using the FW08

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Thorson, Thor (July 2010). "1979 Williams FW07 Formula One". Sports Car Market. 22 (7): 60–61.
  2. ^ a b Turner, Kevin (30 January 2021). "F1's fastest and slowest: Williams's rollercoaster ride". Autosport. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b Diepraam, Mattijs (2007-11-30). "Poachers turned gamekeepers: how the FOCA became the new FIA. Part 2: Onset – authority and rebellion". 8w.forix. Retrieved 2014-07-06.
  4. ^ As seen in BBC's 1981 documentary "Gentlemen, lift your skirts..."
  5. ^ "Williams F1 - The All Time Greatest Williams Drivers 2". m.f1network.net. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  6. ^ "Gentlemen, Lift Your Skirts". www.f1-grandprix.com. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Flashback: The Williams F1 six-wheeler". YallaF1.com. 2011-03-18. Archived from the original on 2011-03-23. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
  8. ^ "The 'BETA vs VHS' Award". F1 Rejects. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
  9. ^ "Grand Prix Cars - Williams-Ford FW07B". www.grandprixhistory.org. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  10. ^ "X-ray spec: Williams FW07". Motor Sport Magazine. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  11. ^ "Longhorn Williams to return". Motor Sport Magazine. 2014-07-07. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  12. ^ Osten, Phillip van (2023-05-15). "When a Williams found its way on to the grid of the Indy 500". F1i.com. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  13. ^ a b Fagnan, René. "Inusité : La Longhorn LR02 - Une Williams F1 modifiée pour rouler en IndyCar !". www.poleposition.ca (in French). Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  14. ^ "Longhorn LR02 - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Brown, Allen (19 April 2022). "Williams FW07 car-by-car histories". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g Francks, Troy (17 March 2018). "Alan Jones Williams FW07/01 to be auctioned". GRANDPRIX247. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  17. ^ a b Brown, Allen. "Williams FW07/1". OldRacingCars.com.
  18. ^ a b "Williams FW07:001". flyinglap. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  19. ^ a b Fareed, Saleh (12 November 2021). "Formula One racing cars roar round the streets of Jeddah". Arab News. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  20. ^ a b SG (13 November 2021). "Red Bull showrun dazzles Jeddah along the Red Sea coast". Saudi Gazette. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  21. ^ a b Jupp, Ethan (15 December 2021). "Williams F1's first championship winner is back in action". www.goodwood.com. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  22. ^ a b Brown, Allen. "Williams FW07/2". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Williams FW07:002". flyinglap. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  24. ^ a b Brown, Allen. "Williams FW07/3". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Williams FW07:003". flyinglap. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  26. ^ Brown, Allen. "Williams FW07/4". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  27. ^ "Williams FW07:004". flyinglap. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  28. ^ a b "F1 Williams FW07/04 Featured at Sotheby's Auction". Sports Car Digest. 26 March 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  29. ^ a b c McAlpine, Heath (26 December 2021). "The uncovering of a legend". Auto Action. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  30. ^ "Sir Frank Williams honoured by Formula 1 in Jeddah". GRANDPRIX247. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  31. ^ "Fifteen Eleven Restores Iconic Williams FW07/04 Formula 1® Racing Car". The Speed Journal. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  32. ^ Brown, Allen (28 July 2023). "Williams FW07B car-by-car histories". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  33. ^ Brown, Allen. "Williams FW07B/5". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  34. ^ "Williams FW07B:5". flyinglap. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  35. ^ Brown, Allen (28 July 2023). "Williams FW07C car-by-car histories". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  36. ^ Brown, Allen (28 July 2023). "Williams FW07D history". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 13 November 2024.

Further reading

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[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Williams FW07, Williams FW07B and Williams FW07C.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Williams_FW07&oldid=1257349482#1981"