Williams FW23

Williams FW23

Category	Formula One
Constructor	Williams
Designer(s)	Patrick Head (Technical Director) Gavin Fisher (Chief Designer) Geoff Willis (Chief Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor	FW22
Successor	FW24
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)	Williams double wishbone, torsion bar, pushrod
Suspension (rear)	Williams double wishbone, coil spring, pushrod
Engine	BMW P80 2998 cc V10 (90°) naturally aspirated, 19,000 RPM
Transmission	Williams 7-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Fuel	Petrobras
Lubricants	Castrol
Tyres	Michelin
Competition history
Notable entrants	BMW Williams F1 Team
Notable drivers	5. Ralf Schumacher 6. Juan Pablo Montoya
Debut	2001 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F/Laps 17 4 4 8
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The Williams FW23 was the car with which the Williams team competed in the 2001 Formula One season. It was raced in competition by Ralf Schumacher, who was in his third year with the team, and Juan Pablo Montoya, a previous Formula 3000 and CART champion who was making his F1 début.

2001 was Williams's second year with engine partners BMW, and the promise shown in 2000 translated into raw speed and some good results throughout the year, including the team's first win since 1997 at Imola. The powerful engine, well-designed chassis, the Michelin tyres' tendency to work well in hot conditions, and the efforts of two quick drivers resulted in a haul of four victories and the team's re-emergence at the top of the sport, alongside Ferrari and McLaren.

However, Williams were not able to mount a title challenge for several reasons. Firstly, the BMW engines were more unreliable than their rivals, resulting in a finishing rate of less than 50%. Secondly, the chassis was not so competitive on high-downforce tracks such as Monaco and the Hungaroring. Thirdly, both drivers made several mistakes, Montoya in particular as he came to terms with F1.

However, the team still finished a clear third in the Constructors' Championship, with 80 points.

• 
  FW23-05, 2001
• 
  FW23-05, rear view

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Points	WCC
2001	Williams	BMW V10	M		AUS	MAL	BRA	SMR	ESP	AUT	MON	CAN	EUR	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	USA	JPN	80	3rd
				Ralf Schumacher	Ret	5	Ret	1	Ret	Ret	Ret	1	4	2	Ret	1	4	7	3	Ret	6
				Juan Pablo Montoya	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	2	Ret	Ret	Ret	2	Ret	4	Ret	8	Ret	1	Ret	2

References

• Henry, Alan (ed.) (2001). AUTOCOURSE 2001-2002. Hazleton Publishing Ltd. pp. 66–68. ISBN 1-903135-06-0. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)