FW14B
The Williams FW14B: a pioneering active-suspension machine that dominated the 1992 Formula One season.
The Williams FW14B is a Formula One car designed by Adrian Newey, used by the Williams team during the 1992 Formula One season. It was driven by Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese.
- 1992 Wins
- 10 of 16 races (9 by Mansell, 1 by Patrese)
Lore & Background
The FW14B was the dominant car in 1992, with Mansell winning the Drivers' Championship with a then-record nine wins in a season, while Patrese scored a further win at the Japanese Grand Prix. The car featured semi-automatic transmission, active suspension, and traction control, but did not feature anti-lock brakes in any official race configuration. The active suspension was developed by a team including Patrick Head, Frank Dernie, and other Williams engineers. The main visible difference from the FW14 were bulbous protrusions above the front pushrods containing the active suspension technology, and a longer nose section. The FW14B was so successful that its successor, the FW15, which was developed for the 1993 season, was never used. A total of six chassis were built, with serial numbers FW14B/01 through FW14B/06.
In Their Own Story
The engine note faded into a low hum as Nigel eased off the throttle entering the hairpin. Inside the cockpit, the car felt unnervingly calm, the hydraulic actuators silently adjusting the suspension to keep the chassis flat against the asphalt. There was no chatter, no slide, just pure, calculated adherence to the racing line. Outside, the other cars were wrestling with grip, but here in the FW14B, the machine did the work for him.
Reader's Guide
The FW14B was introduced for the 1992 season after further development work on the gearbox, aerodynamics, and electronics. It was far ahead of competitors such as the McLaren MP4/7A, Ferrari F92A, and Lotus 107. At the British Grand Prix, Mansell's pole position lap was two seconds faster than Patrese, who was a second faster than third-placed Ayrton Senna. Williams won the 1992 Constructors' Championship. Both versions of the FW14 (FW14 and FW14B) won a combined 17 Grands Prix, 21 pole positions, and 289 points before being replaced by the FW15C for 1993.
Did You Know?
- The FW14B was one of the few cars in the early 1990s to feature active suspension, a technology that was rare at the time and pioneered by Williams.
- The FW14B was so dominant that its successor, the FW15, was never used in a race.
- Sebastian Vettel bought Nigel Mansell's no. 5 FW14B, the same chassis that won the 1992 F1 world title.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Williams FW14B?
It's a Formula 1 chassis designed by Adrian Newey and run by Williams across the 1992–1993 seasons, powered by a Renault V10. It is widely regarded as one of the most unopposed cars ever to compete in the sport.
What technology made the FW14B so fast?
Its active suspension system continuously adjusted ride height and damping to keep the aero platform in its optimal window through every corner. Layered on top of Newey's overall aerodynamic and structural design, that gave the car a level of consistency its rivals simply couldn't match.
How dominant was the FW14B in 1992?
It won 15 of the 16 races on that year's calendar, a result that still counts as one of the most lopsided seasons in F1 history. No other car on the grid was truly competitive over a full race distance.
Who were the drivers of the FW14B?
Nigel Mansell was the lead driver and the one who clinched the 1992 World Championship in it, while Alain Prost shared the seat as his teammate. Both carried the car through the 1992 and 1993 campaigns.
Why does the FW14B still matter to F1 fans?
It marks the high-water mark of active suspension before that technology was outlawed, so it is often called the last 'unfair' car in the sport. Engineers and fans alike point to it when discussing how a single technical breakthrough can reshape an entire championship.
Elsewhere in the Williams Racing universe
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