Williams FW15C
It is the first Williams entirely designed from scratch by the duo made of Patrick Head and Adrian Newey. Thanks to Newey’s ingenious insights, the FW15 is an even more advanced car, aerodynamically speaking, than its predecessor.
The two engineers build on the experience gained with the FW14B and create an equally winning car. With numerous electronic solutions like active suspension, traction control, and launch control for starts, the FW15C is one of the most sophisticated cars ever seen in Formula 1. Many of these solutions will, however, be banned starting with the following season.
Drivers:
Alain Prost: It’s the fourth and final world crown for the French driver, who hangs up his helmet at the end of the season. He clinches seven victories during the season, bringing his career total to 51, then a record. Alain secures first place in Kyalami, Imola, Barcelona, Montreal, Magny-Cours, Silverstone, and Hockenheim. He also achieves five podium finishes – second place in Estoril, Suzuka, and Adelaide; third place in Donington Park (European GP) and Spa. Thirteen pole positions and six fastest race laps for a driver who has never made pure speed his most lethal weapon.
Damon Hill: Taking to the track with the number 0 – Williams cannot use the number 1 of the World Champion, which would belong to Mansell, who has retired, and Prost has chosen number 2… – Damon Hill has a remarkable season, embellished with three victories in Hungary, Belgium, and Monza. The son of two-time World Champion Graham Hill stands on the second step of the podium four times and on the third step three times. He also secures two pole positions and four fastest race laps. He finishes third in the Drivers’ Championship.
Our model cars:
Originally, the FW15 was intended to race in 1992. But the on-going success of the FW14B on track convinced Frank Williams not to reveal his hand and keep the new car under wraps for the following season. And when it finally hits the track, the FW15C – ‘C’ denoting the version adapted to the ’93 regulations – proves to be a worthy successor to its predecessor.
Nigel Mansell has left to race in the United States. In his place comes Alain Prost, who had taken a year off to rejuvenate and, above all, wait for Nigel’s seat at Williams to be available. The wait pays off for the Frenchman. The FW15C is so superior to its competitors that the gap in qualifying against rivals often exceeds one and a half seconds. In races, despite some imbalance due to the electronic management, the strength of the FW15C is equally evident. It clinches both 1993 Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championship titles.
