Williams FW38

The Williams FW38 is a Formula One racing car designed by Williams to compete in the 2016 Formula One season. The car was driven by Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas.

Williams FW38
The Williams FW38, driven by Felipe Massa, during the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix.
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorWilliams
Designer(s)Pat Symonds (Chief Technical Officer)
Ed Wood (Chief Designer)
Jason Somerville (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorWilliams FW37
SuccessorWilliams FW40
Technical specifications[1]
Chassiscarbon-fibre composite and aluminium honeycomb monocoque
Suspension (front)double wishbones, push-rod actuated springs and dampers, anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear)same as front
EngineMercedes PU106C Hybrid 1.6 L (98 cu in) direct injection V6 (90º) turbocharged engine, limited to 15,000 rpm in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
Electric motorMERCEDES AMG HPP ERS
Mercedes PU106C Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Kinetic (MGU-K)
Mercedes PU106C Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Heat (MGU-H)
TransmissionWilliams 8-speed sequential semi-automatic Williams paddle-shift 8-speed semi-automatic
BatteryLithium-ion batteries
Weight1,548 lbs
FuelPetrobras
BrakesAP Racing ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 6-pot caliper
TyresPirelli P Zero (dry) tyres
Pirelli Cinturato (wet) tyres
Front:245/660 - 13 / Rear:325/660 - 13
Competition history
Notable entrantsWilliams Martini Racing
Notable drivers19. Felipe Massa
77. Valtteri Bottas
Debut2016 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
210100

The FW38 used the Mercedes PU106C Hybrid power unit. During qualifying for the 2016 European Grand Prix, the FW38 set the highest ever recorded speed of a Formula One car during an official session, at 378 km/h (235 mph).[2]

During the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix, the FW38 set the second highest ever recorded speed of a Formula One car during a race, at 372.5 km/h (231.5 mph).[3]

Due to a lack of upgrades to the car, which was basically similar to the Williams FW37, the team eventually lost 4th place in the constructors' championship to Force India.

History

The car proved to be competitive in the early stages of the championship, with Massa and Bottas securing points finishes for the first half of the season, however lack of upgrades on the car meant that the team could not keep up with other teams during the later stages, such as Ferrari, Force India, and Red Bull Racing, and eventually lost 4th place in the constructors' championship to Force India.

Complete Formula One results

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

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers Grands Prix Points WCC
AUS BHR CHN RUS ESP MON CAN EUR AUT GBR HUN GER BEL ITA SIN MAL JPN USA MEX BRA ABU
2016 Williams
Martini Racing		 Mercedes
PU106C
Hybrid		 P Felipe Massa 5 8 6 5 8 10 Ret 10 20† 11 18 Ret 10 9 12 13 9 7 9 Ret 9 138 5th
Valtteri Bottas 8 9 10 4 5 12 3 6 9 14 9 9 8 6 Ret 5 10 16 8 11 Ret

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

References
  1. "Williams Martini Racing Launches FW38". Williams Martini Racing. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  2. Collantine, Keith (20 June 2016). "Williams hit record speeds on and off the track". F1Fanatic. Archived from the original on 20 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  3. "Williams clocking second highest fastest speed at 372.5km/h during race". F1Fanatic. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
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