Tag: 1996
Moving the Factory from Didcot to Grove
Williams Grand Prix Engineering had been based in Didcot, Oxfordshire since their inception in 1977 firstly on Station Road and then to under the cooling towers of Didcot Power Station. By 1994 they had outgrown that site and the search was on for new premises. Williams needed somewhere with room to grow and close to the existing site so that […]
Read moreThe History of Williams – 1997
Rothmans Williams Renault – 123(1) Year Points(Position) Car Driver Chassis Engine 1997 81(1) 3 Jacques Villeneuve FW19 RS9 42(2) 4 Heinz-Harald Frentzen Double success for Williams as they take the constructors and drivers championships in both Formula One and British Touring Cars. Williams, along with McLaren and Tyrrell agree to sign the concorde agreement. At Imola Heinz-Harald Frentzen wins […]
Read moreThe History of Williams – 1996
Rothmans Williams Renault – 175(1) Year Points(Position) Car Driver Chassis Engine 1996 97(1) 5 Damon Hill FW18 RS8/8B 78(2) 6 Jacques Villeneuve After thousands of miles running over the winter Jacques Villeneuve is well prepared for the season ahead. He serves notice of his intention to fight for the championship from day one by taking pole in the first […]
Read moreSeason Review – 1996
1996 was a typical Williams year – one of championships and controversy. A year in which the team equalled the record, previously held by Ferrari, of constructors’ championships won and also let yet another world champion go. The year started with another change of driver as well as a move from the teams old Didcot base to the new state-of-the-art […]
Read morePrincess and the world of Formula One aid fundraising
Princess Anne met the man who runs a world-beating motor racing team from his wheelchair when she officially opened the new home of Williams Grand Prix Engineering in Grove. And more than 100,000 was raised for the team’s official charity The Spinal Injuries Association, of which she is patron, at a private charity auction conducted by the TV presenter Chris […]
Read moreJapanese Grand Prix 1996 – Race
So Hill is the 1996 World Champion, after a number of nail-biting races towards the end of the season where Villeneuve was able to close the gap. To ensure success Hill only had to stay out of trouble, hope for reliability and score a solitary point. Villeneuve on the other hand had to win and was expected to. After all […]
Read morePortuguese Grand Prix 1996 – Race
So the championship goes to the final round. Jacques Villeneuve’s victory means that he still has a chance of winning the world title and keeping the coveted number one for next season. For outgoing Damon Hill his task is simple – score a single point to ensure the title leaves with him. It could have all been over in Portugal, […]
Read moreInterview with Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Q. When did you complete your negotiations with Williams? A. Tuesday (3/9/96), Frank called me to say that all was settled. Our first contact was in 1994, just after the the death of Ayrton Senna and it was never broken off. Q. Did you only speak with Williams? A. No. I also spoke to Jordan, to not do so would […]
Read moreItalian Grand Prix 1996 – Race
For the Italian Tifosi the right result – for Williams fans the most disappointing race of the season. Hill could have wrapped the championship up here but he stuffed it up. Jacques race was little better, but at least he finished. To make matters worse the problems were all of Hills making – it was him that had insisted on […]
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