Williams FW23

Williams FW23
Car Information
Manufacturer	Williams
Engine	BMW P81
Engine displacement	2,998 cc (182.9 cu in)
Length	4,540 mm (179 in)
Designer	Patrick Head (Technical Director) Gavin Fisher (Chief Designer) Brian O'Roake (Chief Composites Engineer) Mark Tatham (Chief Mechanical Engineer) Geoff Willis (Head of Aerodynamics) Jason Somerville (Principal Aerodynamicist) Nick Alcock (Principal Aerodynamicist)
Fuel	Petrobras
Tyres	M
Formula One World Championship
Years active	2001
Constructor	Williams-BMW
Drivers	Ralf Schumacher Juan Pablo Montoya
Grands Prix	17
Wins	4 (23.53%)
Podiums	9
Poles	4
Fastest Laps	8

The Williams FW23 was the car with which the Williams team competed in the 2001 Formula One World Championship. It was driven by German Ralf Schumacher, who was in his third year with the team, and Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, a previous Formula 3000 and C. A. R. T. champion who was making his F1 début.

Race Victories

Year	Event	Driver	Notes
2001	San Marino Grand Prix	Ralf Schumacher
	Canadian Grand Prix	Ralf Schumacher
	German Grand Prix	Ralf Schumacher
	Italian Grand Prix	Juan Pablo Montoya

Overview

Car and season

2001 was Williams' second year with engine partners BMW and the promise shown in 2000 translated into raw speed and some good results throughout the year, including the team's first win since 1997, at 2001 San Marino Grand Prix. The powerful engine, well-designed chassis, the Michelin tyres' tendency to work well in hot conditions and the efforts of two quick drivers resulted in a haul of four victories and the team's re-emergence at the top of the sport, alongside Ferrari and McLaren. The car was especially strong on faster circuits such as Hockenheim and Monza, where the BMW engine put Williams at a distinct advantage over their rivals.

However, Williams was not able to mount a title challenge, for several reasons. Firstly, the BMW engines were more unreliable than their rivals, resulting in a finishing rate of less than 50%. Secondly, in contrast to the faster circuits, the chassis was not as competitive on high-downforce tracks such as Monaco and the Hungaroring. Thirdly, both drivers made several mistakes, Montoya in particular as he came to terms with F1.

However, the team still finished a clear third in the Constructors' Championship, with 80 points.

A total of nine chassis were built.

Livery

BMW Williams went into the 2001 season with renewed major sponsorships such as Allianz, Nortel Networks, Compaq, Reuters, Veltins, Petrobras and Castrol. BMW Williams received new sponsorship such as WorldCom and discontinued sponsorships are 11880.com. The livery was similar to the 2000 design with subtle changes.

In free practice ahead of the 2001 San Marino Grand Prix, Williams jokingly painted their rear wing with a text saying "Keep Your Distance!" after several rear-end shunts in the opening races, most notably by Jos Verstappen on Montoya whilst leading in Brazil.

Complete Formula One Results

Year	Driver	Tyre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Points	WCC
2001	Schumacher	M	Ret	5th	Ret	1st	Ret	Ret	Ret	1st	4th	2ndP	Ret	1st	4th	7th	3rd	Ret	6th	80	3rd
	Montoya		Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	2nd	Ret	Ret	Ret	2nd	Ret	4th	RetP	8th	RetP	1stP	Ret	2nd

Key
Symbol	Meaning		Symbol	Meaning
1st	Winner		Ret	Retired
2nd	Podium finish		DSQ	Disqualified
3rd			DNQ	Did not qualify
5th	Points finish		DNPQ	Did not pre-qualify
14th	Non-points finish		TD	Test driver
Italics	Fastest Lap		DNS	Did not start
18th†	Classified finish (retired with >90% race distance)		NC	Non-classified finish (<90% race distance)
4thP	Qualified for pole position		[+] More Symbols

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