Williams FW42
Robert Kubica driving the FW42 at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorWilliams–Mercedes
Designer(s)Paddy Lowe (Chief Technical Officer)[1]
Doug McKiernan (Chief Engineer)
Dave Wheater (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorWilliams FW41
SuccessorWilliams FW43
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon-fibre monocoque, laminated from carbon epoxy and honeycomb
Suspension (front)Upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers actuated by push-rods
Suspension (rear)Upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers actuated by pull-rods
EngineMercedes M10 EQ Power+ 1.6 L (98 cu in) direct injection V6 turbocharged engine limited to 15,000 RPM in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
Electric motorMercedes kinetic and thermal energy recovery systems
TransmissionWilliams eight speed seamless sequential semi-automatic shift plus reverse gear, gear selection electro-hydraulically actuated
FuelPetronas Primax, PKN Orlen
LubricantsPetronas Syntium and Tutela
BrakesAP 6 piston front and 4 piston rear calipers with carbon discs and pads
TyresPirelli P Zero (dry)
Pirelli Cinturato (wet)
Dicastal forged magnesium wheels: 13"
Competition history
Notable entrantsROKiT Williams Racing
Notable drivers
Debut2019 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
210000

The Williams FW42 was a Formula One racing car designed by Paddy Lowe, Doug McKiernan and Dave Wheater for the ROKiT Williams Racing team, to compete in the 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship. The car made its competitive debut at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix, driven by the reigning 2018 FIA Formula 2 Champion George Russell who was making his Formula One début; and Robert Kubica, who returned for his first racing season in Formula One since 2010, after recovering from life-threatening injuries suffered in a rally car accident in early 2011.[2][3]

Development and testing

The Williams FW42 was forced to miss the first two days of pre-season testing as the car had not been completed in time.[4] The car finally got out on track during the middle of the third day of testing, and its first shakedown was performed by Russell who completed 23 laps.[5] Throughout the remaining days of testing the team mostly conducted aero tests, with the drivers running a limited number of flying laps due to setbacks in the car's development, lack of parts, and the track time lost during the team's absence during the first two and a half days of testing.[6] The car completed 567 laps during the tests, the fewest of any teams, and was unable to match the pace of other competitors. Its fastest time was 1.9 seconds slower than the quickest lap of testing posted by Sebastian Vettel driving for Ferrari, and over half a second behind the rest of the grid.[7]

Competition history

The car arrived on the season opener in Australia with re-designed parts of the front suspension, bargeboards, and mirrors after those elements of the car were declared illegal by the FIA during the pre-season testing.[8] During the first two practice sessions, the car presented itself with very slow pace, and was even further down the grid than during the winter testing.[9] On Saturday there was no improvement, as both drivers qualified on the back of the grid, with Russell in front of Kubica but three seconds behind the McLaren of Carlos Sainz.[10] The race was a disaster for the team, as both drivers crossed the line adrift of the field with George Russell and Robert Kubica taking respectively the 16th and 17th spot, capitalizing only on three drivers who didn't finish the race.[11] The team found no success during the first half of the season despite upgrades to the car. It wasn't until Germany that they finally broke through with Kubica finishing 10th and scoring their first point of the season, capitalising on 7 drivers that failed to complete the full race distance and after both Alfa Romeo drivers (who finished 7th and 8th) received severe time penalties for driver aids at the start of the race.

At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Williams showed signs of progress after Russell narrowly missed out on Q2, and was able to carry this progress into the race. The following round saw Kubica failing to qualify because of an engine failure and having to start from the pit lane while Russell started 14th on the grid because of multiple drivers taking grid penalties despite qualifying 19th.

George Russell during the Italian Grand Prix

A similar situation saw both cars start in the top 15 for the first time in Italy because of the same reason. Their classified finish streak took a tumble when George Russell retired from a collision on lap 34 at the Singapore Grand Prix. Due to Russell crashing into the barriers following brake issues, and Williams deciding to retire Kubica in order to conserve parts,[12] the following round in Russia saw their first double retirement since the 2018 German Grand Prix. During qualifying at Suzuka, Kubica crashed his car after hitting the outside wall at the exit of turn 18, after running wide onto the grass destroying the car's front wing and left-hand wheels, causing significant damage to the survival cell, thus forcing the Williams mechanics to change the Pole's chassis and gearbox, forcing him to start in the pitlane.[13]

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers Grands Prix Points WCC
AUS BHR CHN AZE ESP MON CAN FRA AUT GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN RUS JPN MEX USA BRA ABU
2019 ROKiT Williams Racing Mercedes-AMG F1 M10 EQ Power+ P Robert Kubica 17 16 17 16 18 18 18 18 20 15 10 19 17 17 16 Ret 17 18 Ret 16 19 1 10th
George Russell 16 15 16 15 17 15 16 19 18 14 11 16 15 14 Ret Ret 16 16 17 12 17
Sources:[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Mid-February reveal for new Williams". formula1.com. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  2. ↑ "Williams announces Kubica as race driver for 2019". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  3. ↑ Richards, Giles (18 October 2018). "Williams already looking to 2019 after bold signing of rookie George Russell | Giles Richards". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  4. ↑ "F1 testing 2019: Williams delay testing until Wednesday". 18 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  5. ↑ "Williams FW42 finally hits the track in testing". racer.com. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  6. ↑ "Williams still waiting for parts to begin aero programme". www.motorsport.com. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  7. ↑ GPfans.com (March 2019). "F1 pre-season test results: Fastest laps, full lap count". GPfans. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  8. ↑ "Williams modify F1 car design ahead of Australian Grand Prix - Formula 1®". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  9. ↑ "Australian Grand Prix 2019: Friday Pace Analysis - Formula 1®". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  10. ↑ "Qualifying report and highlights for the 2019 Australian Grand Prix: Hamilton takes record sixth straight pole in Melbourne - Formula 1®". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  11. ↑ "F1 Australian Grand Prix 2019: Daniel Ricciardo, race results, standings, video, Valtteri Bottas upsets Lewis Hamilton". foxsports.com.au. 17 March 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  12. ↑ "Russian Grand Prix". www.williamsf1.com. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  13. ↑ "WATCH: Big Kubica crash brings out red flags in qualifying". www.formula1.com. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  14. ↑ "All championship race entries, in a Williams FW42". ChicaneF1. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
    "Williams FW42". StatsF1. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
    "2019 Classifications". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
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