Williams Racing

2026 Drivers

Team History

Williams Racing is one of the most successful and revered teams in the history of Formula 1. Founded by Sir Frank Williams and Sir Patrick Head in 1977, the Grove-based team rose from humble beginnings to become the dominant force in Grand Prix racing during the 1980s and 1990s. Sir Frank’s relentless determination and Head’s engineering genius created a combination that won nine Constructors’ Championships — a tally exceeded only by Ferrari.

The team’s first golden age began with Alan Jones winning the 1980 Drivers’ Championship and the team claiming their maiden Constructors’ title. Keke Rosberg added a second Drivers’ title in 1982, and the team continued to attract the sport’s greatest talent. Nelson Piquet won the 1987 title in the revolutionary FW11B with its active suspension technology, while Nigel Mansell delivered a devastatingly dominant 1992 campaign in the FW14B, widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 cars ever built. Mansell won nine of the first ten races that season.

Alain Prost claimed the 1993 title in his final season, and the team remained at the front through the mid-1990s with Damon Hill winning the 1996 championship and Jacques Villeneuve following in 1997. Williams’s innovative spirit was always evident — they pioneered active suspension, semi-automatic gearboxes, and other technologies that shaped the modern era of F1.

The 2000s and 2010s brought a painful decline, as the sport’s economics shifted towards manufacturer teams with vastly larger budgets. Williams scored their last race victory in 2012 with Pastor Maldonado in Spain. The team was eventually sold to Dorilton Capital in 2020, ending the Williams family’s direct involvement. Under team principal James Vowles, who joined from Mercedes in 2023, the team has embarked on an ambitious restructuring. The signing of Carlos Sainz from Ferrari for 2025 signalled real intent, and alongside the impressive Alex Albon, Williams are targeting a return to regular points finishes as a stepping stone towards their long-term goal of competing at the front once again.

Championship Record & Notable Achievements

• Constructors’ Championships: 9 (1980, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997)
• Drivers’ Championships: 7 (Jones, Rosberg, Piquet, Mansell, Prost, Hill, Villeneuve)
• Race Victories: 114 Grand Prix wins
• 1992 Season: Mansell won 9 of the first 10 races in the FW14B
• Technical Innovations: Pioneered active suspension and semi-automatic gearbox
• Third most successful team in F1 history by Constructors’ titles
• Notable Drivers: Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, Carlos Sainz

How to Watch Williams

Follow Williams Racing throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1, with highlights available on Channel 4. Every practice session, qualifying, sprint, and race is covered across the season’s 24-round calendar.

For the complete broadcast schedule including session times, streaming options on Sky Go and NOW TV, and free-to-air coverage details, visit our dedicated F1 TV schedule page.

View Full TV Schedule →