Williams FW34

The Williams FW34[7] was a Formula One racing car designed by Williams F1 for the 2012 Formula One season. Following their worst season in their thirty-year history[8]—in which they finished ninth in the World Constructors' Championship with just five points—the team underwent a technical review, employing former McLaren designer Mike Coughlan (having served his suspension for his role in the 2007 Formula One espionage controversy) as Chief Designer, and promoting Jason Somerville to Head of Aerodynamics.[1] The FW34 used the Renault RS27-2012 engine;[3] the team had previously used Renault engines between 1989 and 1997. The car, which was launched on the 7 February 2012, was driven by Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna.

Williams FW34
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorWilliams
Designer(s)Mike Coughlan (Technical Director)[1]
Ed Wood (Chief Designer)
Jason Somerville (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorWilliams FW33
SuccessorWilliams FW35
Technical specifications[2]
ChassisCarbon-fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbone, push-rod activated springs and anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear)Double wishbone, pull-rod activated springs and anti-roll bar
EngineRenault RS27-2012[3] 2.4 L (146 cu in) V8 naturally aspirated mid-mounted
TransmissionWilliams F1 seven speed seamless sequential semi-automatic shift plus reverse gear, gear selection electro-hydraulically actuated
Weight640 kg (1,411.0 lb) (with driver)
FuelTotal
TyresPirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)[4]
RAYS forged magnesium wheels (front and rear): 13"
Competition history
Notable entrantsWilliams F1 Team
Notable drivers18. Pastor Maldonado[5]
19. Bruno Senna[6]
Debut2012 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
201111

At the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, Maldonado drove the FW34 to pole position and converted it to victory the next day. As well as being Maldonado's maiden Formula One win, it was also the first for Williams since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix, which was won by Juan Pablo Montoya in the FW26, and still currently the last as of 2020.

  • Bruno Senna 2012 Australian Grand Prix Practice, 16 March 2012
  • Bruno Senna 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix Qualifying, 24 March 2012
  • Pastor Maldonado 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix Practice, 23 March 2012
  • Bruno Senna spinning at the start of the 2012 Australian Grand Prix

Complete Formula One results

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

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Points WCC
2012 Williams F1 Renault RS27-2012 P AUS MAL CHN BHR ESP MON CAN EUR GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN JPN KOR IND ABU USA BRA 76 8th
Pastor Maldonado 13† 19† 8 Ret 1 Ret 13 12 16 15 13 Ret 11 Ret 8 14 16 5 9 Ret
Bruno Senna 16† 6 7 22† Ret 10 17 10 9 17 7 12 10 18† 14 15 10 8 10 Ret

† Driver failed to finish the race, but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.

References
  1. Collantine, Keith (28 June 2011). "Williams appoints new technical staff for 2012 car". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  2. "Williams FW34 - F1technical.net".
  3. Beer, Matt (4 July 2011). "Williams to run Renault engines again from 2012". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  4. Noble, Jonathan (25 January 2012). "Pirelli tweaks tyre markings for 2012 F1 season". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  5. "Pastor Maldonado Confirmed for 2012 with Valtteri Bottas as Reserve Driver". Williams F1. 1 December 2011. Archived from the original on 3 December 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  6. Elizalde, Pablo (17 January 2012). "Williams confirms Bruno Senna will race for the team in F1 in 2012". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  7. "Williams". Formula1.com. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  8. Collantine, Keith (9 December 2011). "Williams fall into F1's vicious cycle". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
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