 The Williams FW43 in its updated livery, driven by George Russell during the Tuscan Grand Prix | |||||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Williams | ||||||||||
| Designer(s) | Doug McKiernan (Design and Development Director) David Worner (Chief Designer)[1] Jonathan Carter (Head of Design)[1] Dave Wheater (Head of Aerodynamics) | ||||||||||
| Predecessor | Williams FW42 | ||||||||||
| Successor | Williams FW44 | ||||||||||
| Technical specifications[2][3] | |||||||||||
| Engine | Mercedes M11 EQ Performance (2020) Mercedes-AMG F1 M12 E Performance (2021) 1.6 L (98 cu in) direct injection V6 turbocharged engine limited to 15,000 RPM in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout | ||||||||||
| Transmission | eight forward and 1 reverse gear seamless sequential semi-automatic shift plus reverse gear, gear selection electro-hydraulically actuated | ||||||||||
| Fuel | Petronas Primax | ||||||||||
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero (dry) Pirelli Cinturato (wet) | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Williams Racing | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers |
| ||||||||||
| Debut | 2020 Austrian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last event | 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
The Williams FW43 is a Formula One car constructed by Williams to compete in the 2020 Formula One World Championship. The car was driven by Nicholas Latifi and George Russell, who were in their first and second year with the team respectively.[4] Jack Aitken, Roy Nissany, Jamie Chadwick and Dan Ticktum acted as reserve and development drivers for the team.[5][6][7]
One of these reserve drivers, Jack Aitken, made his Grand Prix debut in the FW43 at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, replacing George Russell who was called up by Mercedes for the same event after Mercedes' regular driver, Lewis Hamilton, tested positive for coronavirus and was forced to miss the event as a result.[8] Russell returned to Williams for the season finale in Abu Dhabi after Hamilton was cleared to race for Mercedes in that event with Aitken returning to reserve driver.[9]
The car was designed by Doug McKiernan and Dave Wheater with new recruits David Worner and Jonathan Carter acting as Chief Designer and Deputy Chief Designer respectively.[1] The car was planned to make its competitive debut at the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, but this was delayed when several races were postponed or cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10][11] The FW43 made its debut at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix.
The pandemic also prompted the delay of technical regulations that had been planned for introduction in 2021. Under an agreement reached between teams and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, 2020-specification cars—including the FW43—saw their lifespan extended to compete in 2021.[12] Williams introduced the FW43B for use in 2021.[13]
- ^ a b c "Williams fire up FW43 engine ahead of 2020 launch". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- ^ Horton, Phillip (13 September 2019). "Williams extends Mercedes F1 power unit deal through 2025". motorsportweek.com. Motorsport Media Services Ltd. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ "2020 Formula One technical regulations". FIA. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ "F1 – 2020 Provisional Entry List". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "Aitken joins Williams as reserve driver after leaving Renault". formula1.com. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
- ^ "Williams sign Israeli racer Nissany as test driver". formula1.com. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- ^ Benson, Andrew (17 December 2019). "Williams: British driver Dan Ticktum joins as development driver". Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ "Jack Aitken to Replace George Russell for Sakhir Grand Prix". www.williamsf1.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "Hamilton to return for Abu Dhabi GP". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
- ^ Coch, Mat (13 March 2020). "Confirmed: F1 cancelled at Australian Grand Prix". Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "Bahrain and Vietnam Grands Prix postponed". formula1.com. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ Herrero, Daniel (20 March 2020). "Formula 1's new regulations delayed until 2022". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ Smith, Luke (5 February 2021). "Williams reveals launch date for 2021 FW43B Formula 1 car". Autosport.com. Retrieved 5 February 2021.