FW30

A raft of rule changes keeps the team busy during pre-season testing. A standard ECU is implemented by the FIA to ensure traction control and launch control are outlawed, and there’s a new rule stipulating that each gearbox has to last for four races. The FW30 is quick from the outset. Nico Rosberg finishes third in the opening race of the year and the technical development of the car keeps up with the team’s main rivals because he also finishes on the podium in round 15, the Singapore Grand Prix. Unfortunately, it’s a hugely competitive season in which the world championship battle goes down to the last race and Williams doesn’t manage to take more than two podiums. The team finishes eighth in the constructors’ championship, three points behind Red Bull Racing.

There are a few significant milestones in 2008: Frank Williams becomes the sport’s longest serving team principal (longer even than Enzo Ferrari); the team records its 50,000th racing lap in Turkey and it starts its 500th grand prix at Monza.

Season Highlight

The season-opener in Melbourne, when Nico Rosberg comes home third and Kazuki Nakajima sixth.

Fun Fact

In October 2008 Williams joins an elite group of the UK’s most revered and recognised brands when it is listed as a 2008/09 cool brand. It joins the likes of Tate Modern, Rolex and Aston Martin among others.