Williams - Year by Year

Everything you need to know about Williams' F1 history from 1978 on. Follow your favourite Williams drivers through the years and celebrate top moments.

2023

Rise to seventh overall under leadership of new team principal James Vowles. FW45 machine shows prodigious qualifying and straight-line speed, with best race result of seventh place for Alex Albon in Montreal and Monza.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 17: Alexander Albon of Thailand driving the (23) Williams FW45

2022

Despite the FW44 showing promising pace at times – particularly in the hands of Alex Albon, who qualifies an outstanding ninth at Spa – score just eight points across the season, leaving the team 10th and last in the final standings.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 11: Alexander Albon of Thailand driving the (23) Williams FW44

2021

Experience something of a resurgence, scoring a podium in rain-curtailed Belgian Grand Prix courtesy of regular Q3 qualifying star George Russell. Improve to eighth overall in a campaign sadly marred by the death of founder Sir Frank Williams in November.

SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 29: Second placed George Russell of Great Britain and Williams celebrates on

2020

End a season without a point for the first time in their history, but the team's future is assured as new owners take over from the Williams family, and closer technical ties to engine suppliers Mercedes are agreed for 2021 and beyond.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 15: Jack Aitken of Great Britain driving the Williams

2019

A single point from 21 races heralds the worst campaign in the team’s history, despite the addition of former Grand Prix winner Robert Kubica. On the flip side, rookie George Russell marks himself out as a star of the future, out-qualifying his experienced team mate at every round.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 29: George Russell of Great Britain and Williams

2018

The downward trend of recent seasons sadly continues, with their points tally slumping into single figures. Leaves them last in the table, despite the best efforts of drivers Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin.

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 06: Lance Stroll of Canada and Williams and Sergey Sirotkin of Russia and

2017

The return of Paddy Lowe as Chief Technical Officer comes too late to truly impact the FW40, which returns just 83 points (to its predecessor’s 138) in the hands of veteran Felipe Massa and rookie team mate Lance Stroll. A surprise podium for Stroll in Azerbaijan is their only top-five result of the year.

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JUNE 25: Lance Stroll of Canada driving the (18) Williams Martini Racing

2016

Williams' gradual fall down the order continues, as they fail to match the development pace of their rivals, slipping to fifth in the constructors' championship behind Force India. Valtteri Bottas scores their sole podium of the year in Canada, while Felipe Massa bids an emotional farewell to the team - and the paddock - as he retires from F1 racing at the end of the year. Canadian rookie Lance Stroll is signed as his 2017 replacement.

Tearful Williams Martini Racing's Brazilian driver Felipe Massa, wrapped in his country's flag, is

2015

Williams consolidate their position as F1 racing’s third-best team, but after finishing the previous year with the second-quickest car they are frustrated to slip even further back from the imperious Silver Arrows and to be overhauled by a resurgent Ferrari squad. Two podiums each for Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa are the high points in a year in which the FW37 looked impressive on quick circuits but uncomfortable at slower ones.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 28:  Felipe Massa of Brazil and Williams drives during

2014

Combination of excellent chassis, Mercedes power, and Bottas-Massa driver pairing sees team return to form. The FW36 is frequently the only real challenger to Mercedes works cars, and though wins remain elusive, finish third overall after podium appearances at eight out of 19 races.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 23:  Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Williams celebrates

2013

Start their campaign with high expectations, but Renault-powered FW35 a huge disappointment and both Maldonado and rookie team mate Bottas spend season racing largely outside of the points, scoring just twice en route to the team finishing ninth overall.

Motorsports: FIA Formula One World Championship 2013, Grand Prix of Canada, #17 Valtteri Bottas

2012

Switch to Renault power helps boost competitiveness, with Maldonado taking Williams' first win since 2004 in Spain. But inconsistent qualifying (from Senna) and multiple incidents (from Maldonado) hamper progress and team slip backwards as season progresses.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 13:  Pastor Maldonado of Venezuela and Williams celebrates on the podium

2011

Worst season in team's history, with poor reliability and mediocre pace. Score just five points and make it through to Q3 on only three occasions. Technical director Sam Michael leaves, to be replaced by former McLaren man Mike Coughlan.

Venezuelan Williams Formula One driver Pastor Maldonado driving his FW33 racing car ahead of his

2010

Mixed early fortunes, both drivers occasionally making Q3 and lower end of points. Results much improved by mid season, with Barrichello fourth in Valencia. Hulkenberg takes surprise Brazil pole and team finish sixth overall. Hulkenberg dropped for Pastor Maldonado for 2011.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 06:  Nico Huelkenberg (centre white) of Germany and Williams

2009

Fail to capitalise on being one of just three teams with innovative double diffuser at season's start. FW31 proves consistent and reliable, but never quite has podium pace. Announce switch from Toyota to Cosworth power for 2010.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 01:  Kazuki Nakajima of Japan and Williams drives during

2008

Season starts well with a podium for Nico Rosberg in Australia, but then fail to match development pace of rivals. Second place in Singapore the year's highlight, but drop from fourth to eighth in the final standings, with 26 points.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16:  Nico Rosberg of Germany and Williams celebrates with his trophy

2007

The FW29 proves much more reliable than its predecessor, and the team record just seven retirements instead of 20. Alexander Wurz retires ahead of season finale and is replaced by Kazuki Nakajima, who retains the seat for 2008.

SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 15:  Alex Wurz of Austria and Williams leads from his team mate Nico

2006

Disappointing season sees team finish eighth in standings. Cosworth-powered package shows early promise, including fastest lap at Bahrain season opener, but challenge quickly fades. Twenty DNFs, with best results two sixth places for Mark Webber.

HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY - JULY 28:  Mark Webber of Australia and Williams in the pits during second

2005

Finish fifth in standings then bid farewell to engine partners BMW and Nick Heidfeld, who, after scoring his maiden pole, misses last five races through illness/injury. Best result Monaco, with both drivers on podium.

MONTE CARLO, MONACO - MAY 19:  Nick Heidfeld of Germany and BMW Williams in action during practice

2004

Ralf Schumacher misses six races after fracturing spine in Indy accident. Replaced by Marc Gene and then Antonio Pizzonia. Team ditch radical 'walrus' front wing after disappointing start to season. End it on high with victory in Brazil. Fourth in standings.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 03:    Motorsport /  Formel 1: Testfahrten in Barcelona 2004 ; Ralf

2003

Dramatic improvement in form in the second half of the season with four race wins. Finish second to Ferrari in the standings after losing final-race showdown.

German Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher (R) sprays champagne on his brother BMW-Williams driver

2000 - 2002

Despite winning races, unable to mount a serious championship challenge to the dominant Ferrari team.

INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES:  Crew members roll the car of Williams driver Jenson Button, of Great

1997

Jacques Villeneuve takes his first and only drivers' championship and Williams take the constructors' crown for a ninth time.

SPAIN - OCTOBER 26:  GP von EUROPA 1997 Jerez; Weltmeister Jacques VILLENEUVE/WILLIAMS RENAULT

1996

Damon Hill wins the drivers' championship for Williams and the team take their eighth constructors' title.

Damon Hill, Grand Prix of France, Magny-Cours, 28 June 1998. (Photo by Paul-Henri Cahier/Getty

1994

Williams suffer their first fatality when Ayrton Senna is killed at Imola. In a sombre season the team wins the constructors' championship.

Ayrton Senna, Williams-Renault FW16, Grand Prix of Brazil, Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos,

1993

Alain Prost wins his fourth drivers' championship and announces his retirement from the sport.

Alain Prost from France checks the lap times from the cockpit of the #2 Canon Williams Renault

1992

Nigel Mansell wins the first five rounds of the season and he and the team go on to take both drivers' and constructors' titles. Mansell then leaves the sport to compete in IndyCar.

British F-1 driver Nigel Mansell of the Williams-Renault team holds the Brazilian flag and the

1986

Team owner Frank Williams is seriously injured in a road-car accident. In typically determined fashion, he continues to lead the team.

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1980

Alan Jones wins the drivers' championship and Williams takes the constructors' title.

Alan Jones racing a Williams-Cosworth FW07B, British Grand Prix, Brands Hatch, Kent, 1980. He

1979

Clay Regazzoni wins the British Grand Prix to give Williams their first Formula 1 victory.

Clay Regazzoni, René Arnoux, Jean-Pierre Jarier, Grand Prix of Great Britain, Silverstone Circuit,

1978

Williams Grand Prix Engineering founded. Alan Jones is signed to drive for the team.

Patrick Head (GBR) (Left) and Frank Williams (GBR) at the launch of the Williams FW06 at their new