Williams FW14 - 1991
The Williams FW14 car designed by Adrian Newey was used by the Williams team during the 1991 and 1992 seasons, with the car born out of necessity. Despite the 1989 and 1990 seasons being competitive for Williams, they had under-achieved in their own and also Renault's (their engine supplier) eyes.
Adrian Newey started work on the new car design soon after joining the team from March in mid-1990. He had designed a series of areodynamically efficient and very effective cars for March on a limited budget so with Williams' greater resources and money he was able to fully develop his ideas. The design showed enough promise to tempt Nigel Mansell to change his plans to retire from the sport and rejoin Williams from Ferrari at the end of the 1990 season.
Adrian Newey started work on the new car design soon after joining the team from March in mid-1990. He had designed a series of areodynamically efficient and very effective cars for March on a limited budget so with Williams' greater resources and money he was able to fully develop his ideas. The design showed enough promise to tempt Nigel Mansell to change his plans to retire from the sport and rejoin Williams from Ferrari at the end of the 1990 season.
The Williams FW14 is powered by a 3.5 litre V10 Renault engine, the car was the most technically sophisticated on the grid. The year after in 92, the FW14B featured a semi-automatic gearbox, active suspension, traction control and for a brief period; anti-lock brakes.
Also the superb aerodynamics designed by Newey made the Williams more developed than their McLaren, Ferrari and Lotus rivals. When the car was first developed, disbelievers said the car was too technical for its own good, how wrong they were.
The FW14B was so successful that its successor the FW15, which was already available mid-season in 1992, was never used.
The FW14B was so successful that its successor the FW15, which was already available mid-season in 1992, was never used.
The FW14 made its debut at the 1991 United States Grand Prix. The car was clearly the most technically advanced on the grid but early teething problems halted the teams early progress. Together throughout the season, Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese recorded 7 victories.
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