The FW06 was the first car Patrick Head designed for Williams Grand Prix Engneering. Twenty years and 9 constructor’s championships later his latest challenger, the FW20, took to the tracks. How much has Formula One changed in the intervening years? The following table outlines the differences (and any similarities) between the two cars.
| FW06 (1978) | FW20 (1998) | ||
| Engine | |||
| Type | Ford Cosworth DFV | Mecachrome GC37-01 | |
| Configuration | V8 90° | V10 71° | |
| Capacity | 2993cc | 3000cc | |
| Transmission | Hewland FGA 400 straight-cut five-speed gearbox |
Six-speed Williams transverse semi-automatic |
|
| Chassis | |||
| Construction | Fibre-glass bodywork Tubular spaceframe |
Carbon Aramid epoxy composite |
|
| Front Track | 62in | 1460mm | |
| Rear Track | 60in | 1400mm | |
| Wheelbase | 100in | 2914mm | |
| Length | 166in | 4392mm | |
| Ancillaries | |||
| Wheels | 13 x 10.5 front 13 x 15 rear |
13 x 11.5 front 13 x 13.7 rear |
|
| Tyres | Goodyear crossplies | Goodyear Eagle radials | |
| Other | |||
| Drivers | Alan Jones | Jacques Villeneuve Heinz-Harald Frentzen |
|
| Sponsors | Saudia Airlines TAG Albilad Leyland Vehicles |
Winfield Veltins Universal Pictures |
|
