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Williams FW20

Williams FW20
Williams FW20.jpg
Category Formula One
Constructor Williams
Designer(s) United Kingdom Patrick Head (Technical Director)
United Kingdom Gavin Fisher (Chief Designer)
United Kingdom Geoff Willis (Chief Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor FW19
Successor FW21
Technical specifications
Chassis Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) Williams torsion bar/double wishbone, pushrod
Suspension (rear) Williams coil-spring/double wishbone, pushrod
Engine Mecachrome (Renault) GC37/01 V10 (71°) naturally aspirated
Transmission Williams 6-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Fuel Petrobras
Lubricants Castrol
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Winfield Williams
Notable drivers 1. Canada Jacques Villeneuve
2. Germany Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Debut 1998 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F.Laps
16 0 0 0
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0

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

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. 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.

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.

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 team-mate.

() (results in bold indicate pole position)




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