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Williams FW26

Williams FW26
Juan Pablo Montoya driving the FW26 at the 2004 Canadian Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorWilliams
Designer(s)Patrick Head (Technical Director)
Gavin Fisher (Chief Designer)
Brian O'Roarke (Chief Composites Engineer)
Mark Tatham (Chief Mechanical Engineer)
Antonia Terzi (Chief Aerodynamicist)
PredecessorWilliams FW25
SuccessorWilliams FW27
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon aramid epoxy composite monocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbone, torsion bar, pushrod
Suspension (rear)Double wishbone, coil spring, pushrod
LengthOver 4,600 mm (181 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height950 mm (37 in)
EngineBMW P84 2,998 cc (183 cu in) V10 electronic indirect multi-point injection with 4-stroke piston Otto-cycle naturally-aspirated, mid-mounted
TransmissionWilliams 6/7-speed + 1 reverse sequential semi-automatic paddle shift with limited-slip differential
Power> 950 hp (708 kW) @ 19,000 rpm,[1][2]
410 N⋅m (302 ft⋅lb) torque
Weight605 kg (1,334 lb) including driver and fuel
FuelPetrobras Podium unleaded 95 RON racing gasoline
LubricantsCastrol
BrakesCarbon Industrie carbon discs and pads operated by AP calipers
TyresMichelin Pilot slick dry and treaded intermediate and wet
ClutchAP Racing multi-plate carbon clutch
Competition history
Notable entrantsBMW Williams F1 Team
Notable drivers3. Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya
4. Germany Ralf Schumacher
4. Spain Marc Gené
4. Brazil Antônio Pizzonia
Debut2004 Australian Grand Prix
First win2004 Brazilian Grand Prix
Last win2004 Brazilian Grand Prix
Last event2004 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
18112
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Williams FW26 is a Formula One racing car designed and built by Williams Grand Prix Engineering for the 2004 Formula One season. Known for its iconic "walrus nose", the car was driven by Ralf Schumacher, Juan Pablo Montoya, Antônio Pizzonia and Marc Gené. It was also the last Williams designed under Patrick Head's supervision.[3]

Design

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Patrick Head supervised the FW26's development with the aim of being on the pace immediately, whilst his design team, which also contained Gavin Fisher and Antonia Terzi among others, came up with a revolutionary aerodynamics package. The car's "walrus nose" featured a short, stubby nose cone connected to the front wing by sloping vertical spars which allowed more airflow to the underside. To further maximise said airflow, the car also featured a twin-keel front suspension, pioneered by Sauber and also used by McLaren and Jordan.

Launch control and fully-automatic gearboxes, which had been used by the team for the previous three seasons since the 2001 Spanish Grand Prix, had also been banned for 2004.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

Season summary

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Juan Pablo Montoya's FW26 in the Donington Grand Prix Collection

The FW26 proved fast in pre-season testing and Montoya was tipped as a title favourite,[by whom?] but during the season proper the car proved difficult to set up and was inconsistent, with Montoya and Schumacher both struggling to maximise the car's potential. The car was genuinely outpaced by the Renaults and BARs of that time, as well as the Byrne/Brawn-designed Ferrari F2004, which dominated much of the season. This meant the team was largely in the upper midpack among the competition this year, but not in contention for the title.

Mid-season was especially barren. Both cars were disqualified from second and fifth-place finishes in Canada for running brakes that infringed the technical regulations, and Schumacher suffered a heavy crash at Indianapolis, sidelining him for three months, while Montoya was disqualified for the second race in a row. Schumacher's replacements, Marc Gené and Antônio Pizzonia could do little with the car and it was left to Montoya to defend Williams's honour.

The team redesigned the front end of the car in time for the Hungarian Grand Prix and fitted the car with a more conventional nosecone. It was with this configuration that Montoya set the then-all-time fastest F1 lap in pre-qualifying at Monza, almost 163 mph average. This does not stand as a lap record as it was not set during the race. He rounded off the season with a win in Brazil, whilst the returning Schumacher put in strong drives in Japan and China. Following Montoya's win in Brazil, Williams would not score another win until eight years later when fellow South American Pastor Maldonado won the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix in his FW34.

Complete Formula One results

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(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Points WCC
2004 Williams BMW P84 V10 M AUS MAL BHR SMR ESP MON EUR CAN USA FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA CHN JPN BRA 88 4th
Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya 5 2 13 3 Ret 4 8 DSQ DSQ 8 5 5 4 Ret 5 5 7 1
Germany Ralf Schumacher 4 Ret 7 7 6 10 Ret DSQ Ret Ret 2 5
Spain Marc Gené 10 12
Brazil Antônio Pizzonia 7 7 Ret 7
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References

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  1. ^ "Engine BMW • STATS F1".
  2. ^ "Formula 1's 5 Most Iconic Engines ever". 26 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Williams Heritage Confirm Cars for Festival of Speed". historicracingnews.com. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Traction Control to Stay in F1 in 2004 - F1 - Autosport". autosport.com. 2 May 2003. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  5. ^ "FIA makes massive changes to F1; several technological enhancements banned". Autoweek. 14 January 2003. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Knutson: F1 shifting gears, literally". ESPN.com. 22 February 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Less electronics will make life interesting". au.motorsport.com. 4 February 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  8. ^ "F1 2004 - Australian GP Highlights (Greek Subs)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021.
  9. ^ "YouTube, a Google company". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020.
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Media related to Williams FW26 at Wikimedia Commons