Williams FW07

Lore & Background

The FW07 was closely based on the Lotus 79, even being developed in the same wind tunnel at Imperial College London. It was small, simple, and extremely light, powered by the Ford Cosworth DFV. After early reliability problems, a major aerodynamic improvement at the 1979 British Grand Prix made the car almost unbeatable in the second half of the season. The FW07B in 1980 was so efficient in creating downforce that front wings were unnecessary. For 1981, the FW07C featured hydraulic suspension systems developed to cope with the ban on moveable skirts. An experimental six-wheeled test car, the FW07D, was tested by Alan Jones at Donington Park.

In Their Own Story

The rain at Zandvoort fell in sheets, blurring the horizon as Carlos Reutemann squeezed the FW07C through the wet corners. The carbon-fiber monocoque hummed with a vibration unlike any steel tube frame before it, rigid yet light. As he navigated the final lap, the ground-effect skirts biting into the asphalt, Reutemann felt the car's unique balance—a perfect marriage of raw power and aerodynamic finesse that had defined an era.

Reader's Guide

The FW07 made its debut at the 1979 Spanish Grand Prix. In 1979, Alan Jones won four races (Germany, Austria, Holland, Canada) and Clay Regazzoni won the British Grand Prix. In 1980, Jones won five races (Argentina, France, Britain, Canada, Watkins Glen) and Carlos Reutemann won the Monaco Grand Prix, securing Williams' first Constructors' Championship and Jones' only Drivers' Championship. In 1981, the FW07C won four races (details not fully specified in source) and Williams won the Constructors' Championship. In 1982, Keke Rosberg drove the FW07 before it was replaced by the FW08.

Did You Know?

• The FW07 had a 30 percent aerodynamic improvement after modifications between the French and British Grands Prix in 1979.
• Alan Jones set a pole position time 2 seconds faster than the next fastest car at the 1979 British Grand Prix.
• The FW07C won the FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship in 2016, 2018, and 2021; the FW07B won in 2017.
• Longhorn Racing built a copy of the FW07 named Longhorn LR02 for CART and Indianapolis, but did not acquire official design rights.