Williams

Williams in 2024

Williams appear to be back on the right path after a number of barron years. Alex Albon guided the Grove outfit to seventh in the 2023 F1 constructors’ championship - their highest finish in six years.

The arrival of James Vowles from Mercedes as team principal seems to have revitalised the team. While the team is no longer in the hands of the Williams family, they remain one of F1’s iconic and most prestigious outfits.

Holding onto seventh is likely going to be a huge challenge for Williams given Visa Cash App RB’s relationship with Red Bull.

Albon remains alongside American driver Logan Sargeant for a second consecutive season. Sargeant was fortunate to keep his drive after an underwhelming rookie campaign where he was whitewashed 22-0 in qualifying by Albon.

Williams' F1 history

Alongside Ferrari and McLaren, Williams are one of F1’s true legendary constructors. Only Ferrari are more successful than them, winning nine constructors’ championships in their F1 history.

Their first taste of F1 glory came in 1980, just a few years after their debut. Alan Jones claimed the title ahead of Nelson Piquet. The 1980s was littered with success for the team with another constructors’ title in 1981 and then Keke Rosberg’s triumph a year later.

Nigel Mansell famously won the 1992 drivers’ championship in the iconic FW14B. Alain Prost added another title in 1993. Damon Hill and Jacques Villenueve added further titles to an ever-growing trophy cabinet for Frank Williams in the 1990s.

While the BMW era of the 2000s was successful, it wasn’t enough to topple Michael Schumacher and Ferrari, meaning 1997 was their last taste of title success. The latter part of the 2000s and into the 2010s were up and down for the team.

The ‘Martini’ era saw Williams return to form with back-to-back third-place finishes in the constructors’ championship - but it was short-lived. A lack of investment and Mercedes’ power unit advantage reducing meant that Williams dropped back.

Struggling on track and off it, the Williams family ultimately sold the team to US investment group Dorilton Capital for €152 million.