Williams FW09

Williams FW09
Williams FW09B
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorWilliams
Designer(s)Patrick Head (Technical Director)
Neil Oatley (Chief Designer)
Frank Dernie (Head of Aerodynamics and R&D)
Nobuhiko Kawamoto (Engine Designer (Honda))
PredecessorFW08
SuccessorFW10
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisAluminium honeycomb monocoque with carbon fibre stress points[2]
Suspension (front)Double wishbone, rocker-operated inboard spring damper
Suspension (rear)Lower wishbone, rocker-operated inboard spring damper/Double wishbone, pullrod-operated inboard spring damper
Axle trackFront: 1,778 mm (70.0 in)
Rear: 1,676 mm (66.0 in)
Wheelbase2,769 mm (109.0 in)
EngineHonda RA163E, 1,494 cc (91.2 cu in), 80° V6, turbo, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionWilliams / Hewland 6-speed Manual
Weight558 kg (1,230.2 lb) (FW09)
540 kg (1,190.5 lb) (FW09B)
FuelMobil
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsTAG Williams Racing Team
Notable drivers5. France Jacques Laffite
6. Finland Keke Rosberg
Debut1983 South African Grand Prix
First win1984 Dallas Grand Prix
Last win1984 Dallas Grand Prix
Last event1984 Portuguese Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
17100
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Williams FW09 was a Formula One car designed by Frank Dernie and Neil Oatley. It was the first Williams chassis to be powered by a turbocharged Honda V6 engine, for which Frank Williams negotiated a deal towards the end of 1982 and the beginning of 1983.

Honda was already supplying the small Spirit team for 1983, but was enthusiastic about supplying Williams, who not only had the reigning World Champion Keke Rosberg as lead driver, but were one of the leading constructors in Formula One who had previously won both the Drivers' and Constructors titles on two occasions, a résumé that neither Spirit nor their young Swedish driver Stefan Johansson could match. Williams had agreed to help develop the engine under Grand Prix race conditions. Spirit folded shortly afterwards.[3]

  1. ^ "Williams FW09". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  2. ^ Codling, Stuart (25 September 2022). "How its faltering first turbo car advanced a Williams-Honda glory era". Autosport. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Spirit Racing". www.f1technical.net. Retrieved 15 December 2019.