Williams FW17

Williams FW17
Williams FW17B

Damon Hill driving the FW17 at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Williams (chassis, transmission) Renault Sport (engine)
Designer(s)	Patrick Head (Technical Director) Adrian Newey (Chief Designer) Eghbal Hamidy (Chief Aerodynamicist) Bernard Dudot (Chief Engine Designer (Renault))
Predecessor	FW16
Successor	FW18
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon fibre and Kevlar monocoque
Suspension (front)	pushrod, bellcrank, torsion spring
Suspension (rear)	pushrod, bellcrank, torsion spring
Engine	Renault RS7, 2,992 cc (182.6 cu in), V10 (67°) NA mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted
Transmission	Williams transverse 6-speed semi-automatic
Power	675–700 bhp (503–522 kW; 684–710 PS) @ 15,200-15,600 rpm
Fuel	Elf
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Rothmans Williams Renault
Notable drivers	5. Damon Hill 6. David Coulthard
Debut	1995 Brazilian Grand Prix
First win	1995 Argentine Grand Prix
Last win	1995 Australian Grand Prix
Last event	1995 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F/Laps 17 5 12 6
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The Williams FW17 is a Formula One racing car designed by Adrian Newey, with which the Williams team competed in the 1995 Formula One World Championship. It was driven by Damon Hill, who was in his third year with the team, and David Coulthard, who was in his first full season after a part-time role in 1994.

Season performance

With what was regarded as the best chassis and aerodynamics in the field combined with the best engine, the 1995 season was disappointing for the team, who were beaten to both titles by Michael Schumacher and Benetton. Although the FW17 was superior in qualifying trim, taking 12 pole positions, Schumacher was usually more competitive on race day. The Benetton team arguably made better strategy decisions during races and Schumacher was able to win nine races against Hill and Coulthard's combined total of five. This situation was not helped by both drivers making several unfortunate errors during the course of the season.

History

For qualifying at the Portuguese Grand Prix, the Williams FW17B was debuted, although not used for the race itself. In the final four races of the season, the FW17B took four pole positions and two victories, but the titles were already just about out of reach due to the success of Schumacher and his Benetton B195.

The team eventually finished second in the Constructors' Championship, with 112 points; both Williams and Benetton had their constructor's points deducted from the Brazilian Grand Prix (6 and 10 points respectively) following an appeal that saw both teams' fuel-related disqualifications overturned from race standings.

The FW17 is notable for being the first Williams car to race with a raised nose, and was the first 'clean sheet' design from the team since 1991 (as the car's two predecessors had been evolutions of the FW14), owing to the new technical regulations for the 1995 season.

During an interview with Top Gear in 2012, Coulthard spoke positively about the FW17, saying that it was his favourite out of the cars he had driven in his career.

David Coulthard's Williams FW17 at the Williams Museum

Livery

For the second year, Williams had a main sponsorship deal with Rothmans. Williams used Rothmans logos, except at the French, British and German Grands Prix; where it was replaced with 'Racing' or barcode with a tricoloured rectangle that associated with the brand. At the French Grand Prix, the Black Tower logo was removed.

As a tribute to Ayrton Senna, who was tragically killed the previous season, the Senna 'S' logo was presented on the front wing.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Pts.	WCC
1995	Rothmans Williams Renault		Renault RS7 V10	G		BRA	ARG	SMR	ESP	MON	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	EUR	PAC	JPN	AUS	112	2nd
		FW17			Damon Hill	Ret	1	1	4	2	Ret	2	Ret	Ret	1	2	Ret	3
		FW17B																	Ret	3	Ret	1
		FW17			David Coulthard	2^	Ret	4	Ret	Ret	Ret	3	3	2	2	Ret	Ret	1
		FW17B																	3	2	Ret	Ret

^ – Coulthard's second place at the Brazilian Grand Prix did not count towards Constructors' Championship points as the FIA did not reinstate the constructor's points after the initial disqualification due to fuel irregularities was overturned.

References

• Henry, Alan, ed. (1995). AUTOCOURSE 1995-96. Hazleton Publishing. pp. 48–51. ISBN 1-874557-36-5.