Williams vs McLaren

Lore & Background

The FW07 was closely based on the Lotus 79 and developed in the same wind tunnel at Imperial College London. It was small, simple, and extremely light, powered by the Ford Cosworth DFV. Early reliability problems halted its title challenge in 1979, but after aerodynamic improvements by Frank Dernie between the French and British Grands Prix, the car became almost unbeatable in the second half of the season. The FW07B in 1980 was so efficient in creating downforce that front wings were unnecessary. The FW07C in 1981 used hydraulic suspension to cope with the ban on moveable skirts. An experimental six-wheeled version, the FW07D, was tested by Alan Jones at Donington Park.

Reader's Guide

The FW07 debuted at the 1979 Spanish Grand Prix. Alan Jones won four of the next five races after the British Grand Prix, but Williams lost the championships to Ferrari. In 1980, Jones won five races and his only world championship, while Williams won their first Constructors' Championship. In 1981, Carlos Reutemann challenged for the drivers' title but narrowly missed out; Williams won the constructors' championship. The FW07 was replaced by the FW08 in early 1982 after 15 wins, 300 points, one drivers' and two constructors' titles.

Did You Know?

• Alan Jones set a pole position time 2 seconds faster than the next fastest car at the 1979 British Grand Prix.
• The FW07C's rock-hard suspension led Alan Jones to temporarily leave Formula One, describing driving the car as 'wrecking the internals'.

Foundations and Leadership Evolution

Initially operating from Feltham and later Colnbrook before settling permanently in Woking in 1981, the team distinguished itself early on by rejecting traditional British racing green in favor of unique color schemes inspired by cinema. A pivotal transformation occurred in 1981 when Ron Dennis merged his Project Four Racing entity with McLaren, eventually buying out original shareholders to assume full leadership. This shift marked the dawn of a golden era defined by strategic engine partnerships and aggressive management, setting the stage for decades of dominance that would see the team become the second-most successful constructor in Formula One history after Ferrari.

The Golden Era of Dominance

The period between the early 1980s and late 1990s stands as the most triumphant chapter in McLaren's history, characterized by an unyielding rivalry with Williams that saw the two British teams alternate Constructors' titles from 1984 to 1994. Powered initially by Porsche and later by a revolutionary Honda partnership, the team secured six Constructors' Championships and seven Drivers' Championships during this span. The 1988 season remains legendary, where Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna formed an invincible pairing that won fifteen of sixteen races. Although their relationship eventually fractured, leading to Prost's departure for Ferrari, the team's success continued into the late nineties with Mercedes-Benz engines and designer Adrian Newey.

Global Motorsport Achievements

Beyond its Formula One supremacy, McLaren has uniquely achieved the Triple Crown of Motorsport, standing as the only team to secure victories at the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Monaco Grand Prix. Their endurance racing pedigree includes a historic 1995 Le Mans win with a modified F1 road car and a long tradition in American open-wheel racing through their Can-Am championship wins and current Arrow McLaren IndyCar entry, which has claimed ten victories since 2020. While ventures into electric series like Formula E and Extreme E yielded limited success before withdrawal, the team continues to innovate across disciplines, including winning the 2022 Formula One esports championship.

Championship Pedigree and Milestones

The team's roster of Drivers' Champions reads like a hall of fame, featuring icons such as Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme, Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Häkkinen, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris. Even drivers who won titles elsewhere, including Fernando Alonso, Kimi Räikkönen, Jenson Button, Keke Rosberg, and Jody Scheckter, have contributed to the team's legacy during their tenures. In a historic milestone reached during the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, McLaren became only the second constructor after Ferrari to enter their 1000th Grand Prix, underscoring their enduring presence and sustained competitiveness in the sport's highest echelon.