Williams F1: The Turbo Era and the Rise of the FW10

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Formula One Forever

8 min readDec 2, 2024

In the early 1980s, Williams was the undisputed king of innovation in Formula 1, setting benchmarks in ground-effect technology and chassis stiffness. Led by the brilliant minds of Patrick Head and Frank Williams, the FW07 was a game-changer, mastering the art of aerodynamics under the car.

The result was Alan Jones’s triumphant 1980 season and Carlos Reutemann’s near miss in 1981.

But what followed was a steep learning curve for Williams in the turbocharged era, as they sought to compete with the powerhouses of the time, McLaren and Ferrari.

The Ground Effect Era and Williams’ Dominance

By 1980, Williams was on top of the Formula 1 world. The FW07 was the epitome of ground-effect technology, with underbody aerodynamics generating phenomenal downforce. Alan Jones secured the drivers’ title that year, and the team could have been even more successful in 1979 had the car been ready earlier.

Then in 1981, Carlos Reutemann came agonizingly close to winning the title, only faltering in the season’s final moments. In 1982, Keke Rosberg’s tenacity, combined with the brilliance of the FW08 — the last great naturally aspirated car of its time — led to another drivers’ championship.

However, the shift to turbocharged engines in the early ’80s left Williams scrambling to keep up with the technological advancements of their rivals.

Williams’ Struggle in the Turbo Era

As the turbocharged era began, Williams was lagging behind. The team desperately needed a turbo engine to stay competitive.

The FW09, paired with Honda’s early RA164E V6 turbo engine, was far from ideal. The car’s boxy, unrefined design and the wild power delivery of Honda’s turbo made it a handful for both Keke Rosberg and Jacques Laffite.

The FW09 struggled with handling, exacerbated by the engine’s inconsistent powerband, delivering a whopping 750 horsepower between 10,300 and 11,400 rpm — all at once.

Keke Rosberg in his Williams FW09 1984 British GP Brands Hatch

The result? The car was fast in a straight line but unpredictable in the corners, often ending races in disappointment.

Honda and Williams, however, weren’t ones to shy away from a challenge. The partnership evolved over the next few years, with both parties learning how to handle the intricacies of turbocharging. Williams began experimenting with composite materials, and Honda worked tirelessly to improve the turbo lag and reliability issues of their engine.

This learning process eventually led to the FW10 — a car that, while still flawed, began showing real potential.

The FW10: Williams Finds its Feet

1985 was a turning point for Williams. The FW10, now built with a composite monocoque, was a significant improvement over its predecessors. And Honda’s revised RA165E engine featured smaller turbos and a more efficient packaging, making the car easier to handle and more powerful.

The FW10 was finally capable of competing with the best, as Williams started to close the gap on McLaren and Ferrari.

Keke Rosberg celebrates his victory at teh 1985 Detroit GP

Keke Rosberg, the gutsy Finn, proved to be the perfect pilot for the FW10. His win at the notoriously rough Detroit Grand Prix in 1985 was a masterclass in driving skill, bravery, and determination. In treacherous conditions, Rosberg managed to keep his cool, capitalizing on the mistakes of others and bringing home a memorable victory for Williams and Honda.

But it was Rosberg’s electrifying performance at Silverstone that year which truly cemented his place in F1 folklore. He shattered the 160 mph average lap speed barrier in qualifying, setting a record that would stand for nearly two decades until 2002.

That qualifying lap was a raw display of courage and precision, as Rosberg wrestled the twitchy, high-powered FW10 around one of the fastest circuits in the world.

Despite these high points, Williams was still plagued by inconsistency. The FW10 had blistering one-lap pace, but over a race distance, it struggled to match McLaren’s MP4/2B, which was not only fast but reliable.

Williams often found themselves at the mercy of mechanical failures or outclassed by the superior stability and fuel efficiency of McLaren’s Tag-Porsche engine.

Nigel Mansell’s maiden victory at Brands Hatch, European GP 1985

The Turning Point: Nigel Mansell’s Breakthrough

Nigel Mansell, who had joined Williams from Lotus in 1985, played a crucial role in the team’s resurgence. Armed with experience from Renault’s turbo program, Mansell helped guide Williams through the complexities of turbo technology.

His insights into turbo lag and heat management were invaluable as the team worked on refining the FW10.

Mansell’s maiden win came at the European Grand Prix at Brands Hatch. The race was a hard-fought battle, with Mansell benefiting from some clever team play by Rosberg, who helped block Ayrton Senna’s Lotus, giving Mansell the edge he needed to take the victory.

It was a defining moment for both Mansell and Williams, as it marked the beginning of a new era for the team.

Alan Jones, Frank Williams and Patrick Head

Williams’ Return to the Top

The 1985 season ended on a high for Williams, with Rosberg claiming his final victory at the inaugural Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide. It was a fitting end to Rosberg’s time with Williams, as he prepared to move to McLaren for the 1986 season.

For Williams, the FW10 had laid the groundwork for even greater success. The lessons learned during the turbo era, combined with Mansell’s growing confidence and the arrival of Nelson Piquet in 1986, would soon catapult the team back to championship-winning form.

The FW11, which followed the FW10, was a dominant force in the late 1980s, proving that Williams had well and truly returned to the pinnacle of Formula 1.

Nigel Mansell in his William FW11 1986 Canadian GP

Final Thoughts — The Legacy of the Turbo Era

The turbo era was a time of great change and challenge for Williams. From the highs of Alan Jones and Keke Rosberg’s title wins to the lows of struggling with the early Honda engines, Williams’ journey was one of resilience and innovation.

The FW10 marked a turning point, as the team found its footing and began its rise back to the top of Formula 1. As the sport moved into the late 1980s, Williams would become a dominant force once again, thanks to the lessons learned during this turbulent but transformative period in their history.

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