1981 FW07C

FW07C image

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The Williams FW07C 1981 is one of the most iconic racing cars in the history of Formula One. This car was driven to victory by some of the greatest drivers of its time, including Carlos Reutemann and Alan Jones. The car was designed by Patrick Head and Frank Dernie, and was part of the Williams' FW07 series of cars, which redefined the standards of racing technology in their era. The FW07C was built to comply with the new FIA regulations introduced in 1981, which required the cars to have a flat underside and a sliding skirt to maintain low air pressure.

At the heart of the FW07C was a 3-litre Cosworth DFV engine that produced an impressive 540 horsepower at 10,500 RPM. This engine was mated to a six-speed manual transmission that helped power the car to a top speed of 335 km/h. The engine was also equipped with an advanced fuel system that made use of electronic fuel injection, which helped improve the car's fuel efficiency and overall performance.

The FW07C featured a monocoque chassis constructed from aluminium honeycomb, which provided exceptional stiffness and strength while keeping the car's weight to a minimum. The front suspension used double wishbones and coil springs, while the rear suspension used a single upper link, lower wishbone, twin trailing links, and anti-roll bars. The car was also fitted with adjustable shock absorbers and rack and pinion steering to provide the driver with precise control and handling.

One of the defining features of the FW07C was its aerodynamic design. The car featured a large front wing and a low nose that helped improve its stability and reduce drag. The car's sliding skirts, which maintained low pressure under the car, also played a crucial role in improving its cornering abilities. The rear of the car featured a high wing that provided additional downforce to keep the rear of the car planted to the ground.

Overall, the Williams FW07C 1981 was one of the most advanced and successful racing cars of its time. It set new standards for technology and performance, and helped Williams establish itself as a dominant force in Formula One. Its groundbreaking design and advanced engineering paved the way for the cars of the future, making it an iconic piece of racing history that is still revered by fans and enthusiasts alike.

Milestones

- Introduction of ground effect aerodynamics - First win at Argentinian Grand Prix - Development of new sidepods - Four pole positions - Eight podium finishes - Constructors' Championship win - Nelson Piquet wins drivers' title - First Williams car to use carbon fiber monocoque - Use of new gearbox and front suspension design - Successful test of new active suspension system, although never raced


Technical

- Chassis: Aluminium alloy monocoque - Suspension: Double wishbone, coil springs over dampers, anti-roll bar - Engine: Cosworth DFV 90-degree V8, 2993cc - Transmission: Hewland FGA 400 5-speed manual - Fuel system: Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection - Weight: 585kg - Brakes: AP Racing discs and calipers, ventilated front discs - Wheels and tyres: 13-inch front and rear wheels, Goodyear tyres - Top speed: Approx. 320 km/h (200 mph) - Power output: 515 bhp at 11,000 rpm - Torque: 228 lb-ft at 9,400 rpm - Wheelbase: 2,700 mm - Track: 1,800 mm front, 1,690 mm rear - Aerodynamics: Ground effect, venturi tunnels, underbody skirts - Driver: Carlos Reutemann (car #5), Alan Jones (car #6)

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