Williams Racing marks 750 F1 starts at the Monaco Grand Prix

The Williams Racing F1 team will mark yet another special milestone in the team’s rich history on Sunday as it celebrates a 750th GP start – at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Few teams boast a more successful record than the British outfit, Williams having won 9 constructors’ championships, 7 constructors titles and 312 race victories.

And to mark the momentous achievement, the FW43B will carry the names of 100 fans on its halo, as well as a special 750 logo. It is also an important race weekend for Cyber Protection partner Acronis, who will have new delivery partner Vuzion on the Williams car for the first time in Monaco.

Williams Racing FW43B nosecone.
Monaco Grand Prix, Thursday 20th May 2021. Monte Carlo, Monaco.

After the famous event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak affecting the world at large, both drivers are naturally looking forward to once again racing at the most iconic venue F1 has to offer.

“I’m really looking forward to Monaco. It was a shame to miss the race last year due to the reshuffled calendar as it’s one of the most exhilarating and thrilling laps of the season,” commented George Russell. “It will be great to be back, and I can’t wait to get on track and have the overall Monaco experience.

“It’s also going to be a huge weekend for the team as we mark our 750th race, which is an incredible achievement and something I’m proud to be part of.”

For teammate Nicholas Latifi, the thrill of experiencing Monaco in a Formula One car for the first time is unsurprisingly one the Canadian in looking forward to.

“I think it goes without saying that I’m extremely excited to race around the streets of Monaco in a Formula One car for the first time. I’ve driven there for many years in different categories, but I’m anticipating that in an F1 car it’s going to be something quite a bit more special! The race is such a spectacle and so prestigious, and it’s a track I like, so I’m super excited and looking forward to getting out there.

“I’m also really pleased to be part of Williams’ 750th race celebrations throughout the Monaco weekend. It’s a huge achievement for the team and I’ll be proud to have the names of 100 of our supporters with me on the halo.”

The Williams World Champion of 1987, Nelson Piquet, once famously likened the challenge of driving around Monaco’s tight confines to ‘like riding a bicycle around your living room.’ That challenge has hardly changed a bit over the years. And for Dave Robson, Head of Vehicle Performance, it’s one that will test the team to the limit.

“Testing new parts is very difficult in Monaco and so we will dedicate most of our track time to dialling in both the car and the drivers to the street circuit in preparation for the all-important qualifying session on Saturday,” explained Robson.

“We are looking forward to taking on the challenge of this famous street circuit and seeing how much performance we can find from the FW43B and the drivers.”

Motorsport Technology