FW07B
The FW07B: a race-winning variant, but not the title-winning car.
The FW07B was a development of the FW07 used by Williams Racing during the 1980 Formula One season. According to the source, Alan Jones won the 1980 Canadian Grand Prix with the FW07B, and Jones won the Drivers' Championship that year with the FW07, not the FW07B. The source does not specify which drivers used the FW07B in the latter part of 1980 beyond Jones's win.
- Primary Drivers
- Carlos Reutemann (1980), Alan Jones (1980)
- Season of Dominance
- 1980
- Driver's Champion
- None (Alan Jones won in 1980 with the FW07; no driver won the title with the FW07B specifically)
Lore & Background
The FW07B was a variant of the ground-effect FW07 chassis designed by Patrick Head and Frank Dernie. The source notes that Jones won the 1980 Canadian Grand Prix with the FW07B, but his championship-winning car was the FW07. The source does not mention Carlos Reutemann's use of the FW07B.
In Their Own Story
The rain lashed against the cockpit canopy at Zandvoort, turning the Dutch circuit into a slick mirror. Inside the blue-and-yellow FW07B, Carlos Reutemann gripped the wooden steering wheel, feeling the subtle chatter of the Cosworth DFV engine fighting for traction. As he navigated the hairpin, the car's refined suspension absorbed the undulations with a confidence that felt almost supernatural compared to its rivals. In that moment, amidst the spray and the roar, it was clear: this machine belonged at the front.
Reader's Guide
The FW07B is part of Williams's early success, contributing to the team's first Constructors' Championship in 1980. However, the source clarifies that the FW07, not the FW07B, was the car with which Alan Jones secured the Drivers' title.
Did You Know?
- Alan Jones won the 1980 Canadian Grand Prix driving the FW07B.
- Jones won the 1980 Drivers' Championship with the FW07, not the FW07B.
- The FW07B was a development of the FW07, which was Williams's first ground-effect car.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Williams FW07B?
The FW07B is the 1981 updated version of Williams' successful FW07 chassis, developed under Frank Williams and technical director Patrick Head. It carried the blue-and-yellow livery that became synonymous with the team's rise to F1 dominance.
Who drove the FW07B in Formula 1?
Alan Jones, Carlos Reutemann, and Keke Rosberg all sat in the FW07B cockpit across the 1981 and 1982 seasons. Jones used it to clinch his Drivers' Championship, while Reutemann and Rosberg carried the program into 1982.
What engine powered the FW07B?
It was driven by the Cosworth DFV V8, the naturally aspirated unit that had become a F1 staple by the early 1980s. Pairing that engine with the FW07B's chassis gave Williams a highly competitive package for two consecutive seasons.
What major titles did the FW07B win?
Williams took the 1981 Constructors' Championship with the FW07B, and Alan Jones used the car to secure his 1981 Drivers' title. The chassis remained competitive enough to keep the team at the front through 1982 as well.
How does the FW07B differ from the original FW07?
The FW07B is a refined, mid-cycle evolution of the 1980 FW07 rather than an entirely new design. The 'B' suffix marks the updates that carried Williams' momentum from a strong 1980 into a championship-winning 1981.
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