There’s so much Formula One history associated with Silverstone that the British Grand Prix on this circuit has always a special occasion. For one team though, the British Grand Prix means a lot. In 1997, Jacques Villeneuve won the race at Silverstone and thereby made the Williams F1 team one of only three teams to win 100 Grand Prix races. Unfortunately, it was the last time that Williams won the British Grand Prix. In fact, 1997 – the year in which the team won both the drivers’ and constructors’ title – was the final chapter of Williams’ glory that spanned for a decade and half.
New F1 fans may find it hard to believe but Williams, even more than Ferrari, was the team to beat from mid 1980s to 1997. It had one of the best packages the sport has ever seen. The technical team, led by Patrick Head and Adrian Newey produced cars of superior aerodynamic and mechanical design.
With no strict regulations in place, Williams made full use of technologies such as active suspension, ABS and power breaking point. They were also the first to introduce traction control to Formula One. Besides, their engine and tyre partners – Renault and Goodyear – provided the best products in their category.
And last, but not the least, Williams had an array of supremely talented drivers including former champions Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneueve and consistent performers like Riccardo Patrese, David Coulthard and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.
Speaking about his glory days in Williams, the 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve told DNA that the first two years (1996 and 1997) were important for him. “They were in a car that allowed me to win races and championship which was a great confidence booster,” he said. In his first year in Formula One, Villeneuve came agonizingly close to winning the title. He came second to his Williams’ colleague Damon Hill.
The next year, Villeneuve won the championship. “The team was amazing as everyone responded well and fast to the mid season loss of pace. The freedom the team gave to me and my engineer Jock Clear helped us win the championship,” Villeneuve said of his championship winning year.
Williams’ downfall started in 1998 after Renault ended its decade-old partnership with the British team. Also, 1998 was the year when new regulations were introduced to the sport. According to Villeneuve, 1998 was a difficult year. “There were lot of rule changes (including grooved tires) and Adrian Newey had left. It took the team a little time to get the ball rolling again,” he said.
The combination of these factors resulted in Williams’ dip in form. Though they achieved good results in 2003, they could never repeat their early success. “They have had very competitive years but a private team could not compete against the constructors,” Villeneuve remarked.
This decade saw a number of constructors, whose role was earlier confined to supplying engines, entering the sport. Renault, Toyota, Honda, BMW, Mercedes and Ferrari changed the entire landscape of Formula One.
Despite not winning drivers’ and constructors’ title for 12 years, Williams continues to be an important part of Formula One, both present and past. And Silverstone bears a testimony to this fact.
Comments