Williams Racing is one of the most historic Formula 1 teams still on the grid. It is based in Grove, Oxfordshire, on a 60-acre site where the late Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head founded the team in 1977. The team was formed after Frank Williams’ previous unsuccessful F1 teams, Frank Williams Racing Cars and later Wolf–Williams Racing, were unsuccessful in the 1976 season.
Current Williams Drivers
Alexander Albon
F1 Debut 2019 Australian Grand Prix
Current/Last Team Williams
Carlos Sainz
F1 Debut 2015 Australian Grand Prix
Current/Last Team Williams
| Base | Grove, United Kingdom |
| Team Chief | James Vowles |
| Technical Chief | Pat Fry |
| First Team Entry | 1978 |
| World Championships | 9 |
The team’s debut race as a non-constructor was the 1977 Spanish Grand Prix, where they ran a March chassis for Patrick Nève. The following year, Williams started manufacturing its own cars, where they made their first entry as an offical constructor at the 1978 Argentine Grand Prix. The team’s first win came at the 1979 British Grand Prix with Clay Regazzoni behind the wheel.
Williams went on to win nine Constructors’ Championships between 1980 and 1997, a record until Ferrari won its tenth championship in 2000. They are also one of only five teams in Formula 1, alongside Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull Racing, to win 100 races, with Jacques Villeneuve scoring the team’s 100th race victory at the 1997 British Grand Prix.
Over the decades, Williams has had a long list of notable drivers, including Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, David Coulthard, Jenson Button, Juan Pablo Montoya, Alain Prost, Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna, Riccardo Patrese, Valtteri Bottas, Felipe Massa and Jacques Villeneuve. Of these drivers, Jones, Rosberg, Mansell, Hill, Piquet, Prost, and Villeneuve won the Drivers’ Championship with the team. Only Jones, Rosberg, and Villeneuve defended their title while still with the team. Strangely, none of the Drivers’ Champions with Williams have gone on to win another championship after their success with Williams.
Since 1977, Williams has collaborated with various engine manufacturers, most successfully with Renault, winning five of their nine Constructors’ titles.
Along with Ferrari, McLaren, Benetton, and Renault, Williams is one of the five teams that won every Constructors’ Championship between 1979 and 2008 and every Drivers’ Championship from 1984 to 2008.
Away from Formula 1, Williams also has business interests in other areas, such as Williams Advanced Engineering and Williams Hybrid Power, which take technology developed for Formula One and adapt it for commercial use.
After a poor financial year in 2019, Williams announced in May 2020 that they were seeking buyers for a portion of the team and terminated their contract with title sponsor ROKiT. Later that year, on 21 August 2020, Dorilton Capital acquired the team. Just weeks later, on 6 September 2020, Frank and Claire Williams stepped down from their roles within the team, with the 2020 Italian Grand Prix being their last in their respective positions. Claire Williams had been offered the chance to remain as Team Principal, but she declined. The race marked the first time the Williams F1 Team competed without the Williams family’s leadership since it was founded 43 years earlier.
In Claire’s place, Simon Roberts, who had joined Williams from McLaren earlier in the year, took on the role of acting team principal. Later, in December 2020, Williams announced the appointment of Jost Capito as the new CEO, with Roberts officially assuming the position of team principal and reporting to Capito. This role was short-lived, and halfway through the following season, in June 2021, Simon Roberts departed from the team. Following his departure, most of his responsibilities were assumed by Jost Capito, while François-Xavier Demaison took over his trackside leadership duties.
Another leadership change happened again at the start of the 2023 season, with James Vowles taking over as the team’s new Principal. Vowles brought experience from his title-winning years with Mercedes, where he was the team’s chief strategist.
Starting from the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, Williams announced that Franco Colapinto would race for the team during the remaining nine races of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship. He became the 49th Grand Prix driver for Williams Racing, the first Argentine driver in F1 in 23 years, and the second Argentine to race for the British team, following Carlos Reutemann. He replaced Logan Sargeant after a series of poor performances.
For 2025, Carlos Sainz joined the team from Ferrari.
Williams One World Championship Records
| First Entry | As a team 1977 Spanish Grand Prix As a constructor 1978 Argentine Grand Prix |
|---|---|
| Races Entered | As a team: 873 entries (869 starts) As a constructor: 862 entries (861 starts) |
| Engines | Ford, Honda, Judd, Renault, Mecachrome, Supertec, BMW, Cosworth, Toyota, Mercedes |
| Constructors’ Championships | 9 (1980, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997) |
| Drivers’ Championships | 7 (1980, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997) |
| Race Wins | 114 |
| Podiums | 315 |
| Points | 3782 |
| Pole Positions | 128 |
| Fastest Laps | 134 |
| Last entry | 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix |
Entrant Names
| Year(s) | Name |
|---|---|
| 1977–1978 | Williams Grand Prix Engineering |
| 1979 | Albilad-Saudia Racing Team |
| 1980–1981 | Albilad Williams Racing Team |
| 1984 | Williams Grand Prix Engineering |
| 1981–1983 | TAG Williams Team |
| 1985–1987 | Canon Williams Honda Team |
| 1988–1993 | Canon Williams Team |
| 1994–1997 | Rothmans Williams Renault |
| 1998–1999 | Winfield Williams |
| 2000–2005 | BMW Williams F1 Team |
| 2006 | Williams F1 Team |
| 2007–2011 | AT&T Williams |
| 2012–2013 | Williams F1 Team |
| 2014–2018 | Williams Martini Racing |
| 2019 | ROKiT Williams Racing |
| 2020–2024 | Williams Racing |
| 2025 | Atlassian Williams Racing |
Williams Constructors’ Championship Results
Excludes seasons as Frank Williams Racing Cars and Walter Wolf Racing, both of which were owned by Sir Frank Williams
Williams Drivers’ Champions
The following drivers won the Formula One Drivers’ Championship for Williams F1.
Williams Team Wins
| No. | Race | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1979 British Grand Prix | Clay Regazzoni |
| 2 | 1979 German Grand Prix | Alan Jones |
| 3 | 1979 Austrian Grand Prix | Alan Jones |
| 4 | 1979 Dutch Grand Prix | Alan Jones |
| 5 | 1979 Canadian Grand Prix | Alan Jones |
| 6 | 1980 Argentine Grand Prix | Alan Jones |
| 7 | 1980 Monaco Grand Prix | Carlos Reutemann |
| 8 | 1980 French Grand Prix | Alan Jones |
| 9 | 1980 British Grand Prix | Alan Jones |
| 10 | 1980 Canadian Grand Prix | Alan Jones |
| 11 | 1980 United States Grand Prix | Alan Jones |
| 12 | 1981 United States Grand Prix West | Alan Jones |
| 13 | 1981 Brazilian Grand Prix | Carlos Reutemann |
| 14 | 1981 Belgian Grand Prix | Carlos Reutemann |
| 15 | 1981 Caesars Palace Grand Prix | Alan Jones |
| 16 | 1982 Swiss Grand Prix | Keke Rosberg |
| 17 | 1983 Monaco Grand Prix | Keke Rosberg |
| 18 | 1984 Dallas Grand Prix | Keke Rosberg |
| 19 | 1985 Detroit Grand Prix | Keke Rosberg |
| 20 | 1985 European Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 21 | 1985 South African Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 22 | 1985 Australian Grand Prix | Keke Rosberg |
| 23 | 1986 Brazilian Grand Prix | Nelson Piquet |
| 24 | 1986 Belgian Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 25 | 1986 Canadian Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 26 | 1986 French Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 27 | 1986 British Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 28 | 1986 German Grand Prix | Nelson Piquet |
| 29 | 1986 Hungarian Grand Prix | Nelson Piquet |
| 30 | 1986 Italian Grand Prix | Nelson Piquet |
| 31 | 1986 Portuguese Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 32 | 1987 San Marino Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 33 | 1987 French Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 34 | 1987 British Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 35 | 1987 German Grand Prix | Nelson Piquet |
| 36 | 1987 Hungarian Grand Prix | Nelson Piquet |
| 37 | 1987 Austrian Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 38 | 1987 Italian Grand Prix | Nelson Piquet |
| 39 | 1987 Spanish Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 40 | 1987 Mexican Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 41 | 1989 Canadian Grand Prix | Thierry Boutsen |
| 42 | 1989 Australian Grand Prix | Thierry Boutsen |
| 43 | 1990 San Marino Grand Prix | Riccardo Patrese |
| 44 | 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix | Thierry Boutsen |
| 45 | 1991 Mexican Grand Prix | Riccardo Patrese |
| 46 | 1991 French Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 47 | 1991 British Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 48 | 1991 German Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 49 | 1991 Italian Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 50 | 1991 Portuguese Grand Prix | Riccardo Patrese |
| 51 | 1991 Spanish Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 52 | 1992 South African Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 53 | 1992 Mexican Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 54 | 1992 Brazilian Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 55 | 1992 Spanish Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 56 | 1992 San Marino Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 57 | 1992 French Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 58 | 1992 British Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 59 | 1992 German Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 60 | 1992 Portuguese Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 61 | 1992 Japanese Grand Prix | Riccardo Patrese |
| 62 | 1993 South African Grand Prix | Alain Prost |
| 63 | 1993 San Marino Grand Prix | Alain Prost |
| 64 | 1993 Spanish Grand Prix | Alain Prost |
| 65 | 1993 Canadian Grand Prix | Alain Prost |
| 66 | 1993 French Grand Prix | Alain Prost |
| 67 | 1993 British Grand Prix | Alain Prost |
| 68 | 1993 German Grand Prix | Alain Prost |
| 69 | 1993 Hungarian Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 70 | 1993 Belgian Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 71 | 1993 Italian Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 72 | 1994 Spanish Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 73 | 1994 British Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 74 | 1994 Belgian Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 75 | 1994 Italian Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 76 | 1994 Portuguese Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 77 | 1994 Japanese Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 78 | 1994 Australian Grand Prix | Nigel Mansell |
| 79 | 1995 Argentine Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 80 | 1995 San Marino Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 81 | 1995 Hungarian Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 82 | 1995 Portuguese Grand Prix | David Coulthard |
| 83 | 1995 Australian Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 84 | 1996 Australian Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 85 | 1996 Brazilian Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 86 | 1996 Argentine Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 87 | 1996 European Grand Prix | Jacques Villeneuve |
| 88 | 1996 San Marino Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 89 | 1996 Canadian Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 90 | 1996 French Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 91 | 1996 British Grand Prix | Jacques Villeneuve |
| 92 | 1996 German Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 93 | 1996 Hungarian Grand Prix | Jacques Villeneuve |
| 94 | 1996 Portuguese Grand Prix | Jacques Villeneuve |
| 95 | 1996 Japanese Grand Prix | Damon Hill |
| 96 | 1997 Brazilian Grand Prix | Jacques Villeneuve |
| 97 | 1997 Argentine Grand Prix | Jacques Villeneuve |
| 98 | 1997 San Marino Grand Prix | Heinz-Harald Frentzen |
| 99 | 1997 Spanish Grand Prix | Jacques Villeneuve |
| 100 | 1997 British Grand Prix | Jacques Villeneuve |
| 101 | 1997 Hungarian Grand Prix | Jacques Villeneuve |
| 102 | 1997 Austrian Grand Prix | Jacques Villeneuve |
| 103 | 1997 Luxembourg Grand Prix | Jacques Villeneuve |
| 104 | 2001 San Marino Grand Prix | Ralf Schumacher |
| 105 | 2001 Canadian Grand Prix | Ralf Schumacher |
| 106 | 2001 German Grand Prix | Ralf Schumacher |
| 107 | 2001 Italian Grand Prix | Juan Pablo Montoya |
| 108 | 2002 Malaysian Grand Prix | Ralf Schumacher |
| 109 | 2003 Monaco Grand Prix | Juan Pablo Montoya |
| 110 | 2003 European Grand Prix | Ralf Schumacher |
| 111 | 2003 French Grand Prix | Ralf Schumacher |
| 112 | 2003 German Grand Prix | Juan Pablo Montoya |
| 113 | 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix | Juan Pablo Montoya |
| 114 | 2012 Spanish Grand Prix | Pastor Maldonado |
Williams Front-Row Lockouts
Qualifying has always been fiercely competitive, making front-row lockouts—when one team secures both first and second place in qualifying—a strong indicator of dominance. Though increasingly rare outside top teams, a few constructors have consistently achieved them throughout F1 history. While grid layouts varied before 1973, the modern two-by-two formation has since defined the front row, with certain teams mastering the art, Williams included. Alongside 1-2 race finishes, the teams with the most front-row lockouts highlight the sport’s most dominant constructors.
