Williams FW20

The Williams FW20 was the car with which the Williams Formula One team competed in the 1998 Formula One World Championship. It was driven by Jacques Villeneuve, the reigning champion, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was in his second year with the team.

Jacques Villeneuve driving the FW20 at the 1998 Italian Grand Prix
Williams FW20
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorWilliams
Designer(s)Patrick Head (Technical Director)
Gavin Fisher (Chief Designer)
Geoff Willis (Chief Aerodynamicist)
PredecessorWilliams FW19
SuccessorWilliams FW21
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Williams torsion bar/double wishbone, pushrod
Suspension (rear)Williams coil-spring/double wishbone, pushrod
EngineMecachrome (Renault) GC37/01 V10 (71°) naturally aspirated mid-engine
TransmissionWilliams 6-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Power775 hp @ 15,600 rpm[1]
FuelPetrobras
LubricantsCastrol
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsWinfield Williams
Notable drivers1. Jacques Villeneuve
2. Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Debut1998 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
160300
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The team was adversely affected by the departure of Chief Designer Adrian Newey to McLaren, and Renault's withdrawal from F1 as an engine supplier. Newey and Renault had made Williams the dominant team of the early and mid-1990s. Newey had departed at the end of 1996, but his input had gone into the FW19 for 1997, so the FW20 was the first Williams car since 1990 that did not directly bear his design, although it cosmetically resembled the FW19.[2] The car was equipped with a Mecachrome-badged version of what was essentially the previous year's engine. Also gone was the highly distinctive blue and white Rothmans livery, as the company had decided to promote its Winfield brand.[3]

At the car's launch, Patrick Head and Geoff Willis admitted that the FW20 was a fairly conservative design but stressed that they were still hopeful of being competitive.[4]

1998 was very disappointing compared to the previous championship-winning campaign. The team finished a distant third in the Constructors' Championship, with three podiums and no wins, a long way behind McLaren and Ferrari.[5]

Villeneuve was unhappy with the season and had no chance to defend his title. He signed with the new British American Racing team for 1999, and Frentzen departed to Jordan after two seasons spent largely in the shadow of his teammate.[6]

Williams used 'Winfield' logos, except at the French, British and German Grands Prix.

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 Points WCC
1998 Williams Mecachrome V10 G AUS BRA ARG SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR AUT GER HUN BEL ITA LUX JPN 38 3rd
Jacques Villeneuve 5 7 Ret 4 6 5 10 4 7 6 3 3 Ret Ret 8 6
Heinz-Harald Frentzen 3 5 9 5 8 Ret Ret 15† Ret Ret 9 5 4 7 5 5

References
  • AUTOCOURSE 1998-99, Henry, Alan (ed.), Hazleton Publishing Ltd. (1998) ISBN 1-874557-43-8
  1. "Engine Mecachrome". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  2. Nugroho, Aditya (12 May 2017). "Disastrous Defense – 1998 Williams FW20 Mecachrome". DriveTribe. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  3. "Rothmans To Discontinue Sponsorship to Williams Formula One Team". www.sportcal.com. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  4. "Williams FW20". www.grandprix.com. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  5. "Beginning of the end- Williams FW20 #blogpost". Car Throttle. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  6. "The Revolving Door of Williams". atlasf1.autosport.com. Retrieved 30 January 2020.

Media related to Williams FW20 at Wikimedia Commons


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