Williams’ 2024 season was a rocky one. Their drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant suffered a number of incidents, more so on Sargeant’s side of the garage, which eventually led the American driver to be replaced by the young Argentine hot-shot Franco Colapinto for the final 9 races.
The team finished ninth in the Constructors’ Championship with 17 points, a step back from 2023’s seventh place, but the season was seen as part of a longer-term rebuild. A heavier-than-expected car and various incidents hampered their performance, though updates helped improve their qualifying pace later in the year.
Looking ahead to 2025, Williams, now led by James Vowels, has secured Carlos Sainz alongside Albon, forming one of the most solid driver pairings on the grid. Sainz’s reputation for helping improve every team he joins bodes well for their progress.
With continued development behind the scenes and a more refined car, Williams aims to translate their promise into more consistent points finishes as they push toward a return to competitiveness. It’s unlikely they’ll be fighting for podiums but expect to see them higher up the midfield this year, as they vow to return to their glory days when they were led by Sir Frank Williams.
Here’s a look back at some of the most inconic Williams F1 cars over the last 50 years.
1975: Williams FW04
The Williams FW04 was one of the earliest cars fielded by Frank Williams Racing Cars before the establishment of Williams Grand Prix Engineering in 1977.
Driven by Jacques Laffite, the FW04 showed promise but struggled against better-funded teams. Despite the challenges, Laffite managed to secure a second-place finish at the 1975 German Grand Prix, a rare highlight in an otherwise difficult season.
The FW04 represented Williams’ early determination to succeed despite limited resources, and paved the way for their future legacy.
1985: Williams FW10
A decade later, Williams had become a serious contender. The FW10, powered by a turbocharged Honda engine, was the team’s first carbon-fiber chassis car and a major step forward in performance.
Driven by Nigel Mansell and Keke Rosberg, the FW10 secured four wins, with Rosberg taking a spectacular victory at the Australian Grand Prix. While Williams finished third in the Constructors’ Championship, the FW10 set the stage for the team’s dominance in the late 1980s.
1995: Williams FW17
By 1995, Williams had re-established itself as a leading team with Damon Hill and David Coulthard behind the wheel of the FW17.
The car was highly competitive, winning five races, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough to stop Michael Schumacher and Benetton from clinching both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
Despite finishing second in both standings, the FW17 demonstrated Williams’ technical strength and set the foundation for their title-winning 1996 campaign.
2005: Williams FW27
The mid-2000s saw Williams in a transitional period. The FW27, powered by a BMW engine, was driven by Mark Webber and Nick Heidfeld (later replaced by Antônio Pizzonia).
While the car had flashes of competitiveness, it failed to secure a race victory, with the best result being second place at Monaco. Williams finished fifth in the Constructors’ standings, marking the start of a decline from their championship-winning days in the 1990s.
2015: Williams FW37
A decade later, Williams had climbed back up the grid with the FW37, powered by Mercedes. With Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa as their drivers, the team secured multiple podiums and finished third in the Constructors’ Championship, behind Mercedes and Ferrari.
While not race winners, the FW37 showcased Williams’ ability to remain competitive in the hybrid era.
2025: Williams FW47
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Williams aims to take another step forward in its revival. Retaining Alex Albon and pairing him with the Smooth Operator Carlos Sainz, the team is determined to return to the sharp end of the grid.
The 2025 season represents an opportunity for Williams to continue building in the right direction in preparation for the rule changes in 2026.
