Williams FW23

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Williams FW23
Image:BMW Williams logo.gif
Category Formula One
Constructor Williams
Designer Patrick Head
Chassis Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) Williams double wishbone, torsion bar, pushrod
Suspension (rear) Williams double wishbone, coil spring, pushrod
Engine BMW P80 2998 cc V10 (90°) naturally aspirated
Transmission Williams 7-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Fuel Petrobras
Tyres Michelin
Notable entrants BMW WilliamsF1 Team
Notable drivers 5. Ralf Schumacher
6. Juan Pablo Montoya
Debut 2001 Australian Grand Prix
Races competed 17
Race victories 4
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0
Pole positions 4
Fastest laps 8

The Williams FW23 was the car with which the Williams team competed in the 2001 Formula One season. It was driven by Ralf Schumacher, who was in his third year with the team, and Juan Pablo Montoya, a previous Formula 3000 and CART champion who was making his F1 début.

2001 was Williams' second year with engine partners BMW, and the promise shown in 2000 translated into raw speed and some good results throughout the year, including the team's first win since 1997 at Imola. The powerful engine, well-designed chassis, the Michelin tyres' tendency to work well in hot conditions, and the efforts of two quick drivers resulted in a haul of four victories and the team's re-emergence at the top of the sport, alongside Ferrari and McLaren.

However, Williams were not able to mount a title challenge for several reasons. Firstly, the BMW engines were more unreliable than their rivals, resulting in a finishing rate of less than 50%. Secondly, the chassis was not so competitive on high-downforce tracks such as Moanco and the Hungaroring. Thirdly, both drivers made several mistakes, Montoya in particular as he came to terms with F1.

However, the team still finished a clear third in the Contructors' Championship, with 80 points.

[edit] Complete Formula One Results

(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 Points WCC
2001 Williams BMW V10 M AUS MYS BRA SMR ESP EUR AUT MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA USA JPN 80 3rd
Ralf Schumacher Ret 5 Ret 1 Ret Ret Ret Ret 1 2 Ret 1 4 7 3 Ret 6
Juan Pablo Montoya Ret Ret Ret Ret 2 Ret Ret Ret 2 Ret 4 Ret 8 Ret 1 Ret 2

[edit] References

    Flag of United Kingdom WilliamsF1

    Personnel

    Flag of United Kingdom Frank Williams | Flag of United Kingdom Patrick Head | Flag of Australia Sam Michael

    Current Drivers

    Flag of Germany Nico Rosberg | Flag of Austria Alexander Wurz | Flag of India Narain Karthikeyan | Flag of Japan Kazuki Nakajima


    Cars

    Frank Williams Racing Cars: FW | FW04 | FW05

    Williams Grand Prix Engineering/WilliamsF1: FW06 | FW07 | FW07B | FW07C | FW08 | FW08C | FW09 | FW09B | FW10 | FW11 | FW11B | FW12 | FW12C | FW13 | FW13B | FW14 | FW14B | FW15C | FW16 | FW16B | FW17 | FW17B | FW18 | FW19 | FW20 | FW21 | FW22 | FW23 | FW24 | FW25 | FW26 | FW27 | FW28 | FW29

    Others: BMW V12 LM | BMW V12 LMR

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