Williams Racing Cars

Williams FW13

The Williams FW13 made its debut at the 1989 Portugese Grand Prix and featured throughout the duration of 1990. Purpose built around the Renault V10 engine Williams had exclusive use of, it was slimmer and sleeker than its predecessor and cemented Williams' second place in the 1989 World Driver's Championship and their drivers to a win apiece in 1990.

20

2nd

3

1989

Debut

1

Poles

4

Fastest Laps

134*

Total Points

The Williams FW13, designed by Enrique Scalabroni and Patrick Head arrived late in the 1989 season in preparation for a full campaign the following year.

The extremely compact Renault RS1 engine allowed the Williams FW13 to be significantly narrower than its predecessor. So narrow was it in-fact that the springs and dampers of the front suspension had to be mounted above of the drivers’ knees.

In pre-season testing the RS1 engine produced 600 bhp, but by the time the FW13 made its debut Renault were getting as much as 680 bhp from it.

It suffered a rather ignominious debut late in the 1989 season, when both cars retired from the Portugese Grand Prix due to a minor design flaw resulting in their radiators becoming clogged.

At the subsequent Grand Prix, only one Williams FW13 was in attendance, Riccardo Patrese preferring instead to use an old FW12 while the issues were addressed.

Once these problems were rectified the car proved to be very competitive indeed, yielding four podiums and a win in the final two Grands Prix of 1989.

For 1990 the revised FW13B was again considered one of the fastest in the field with its updated suspension, revised sidepods and next-generation Renault V10.

Williams’ equal driver policy meant that again, the points were shared between Thierry Boutsen and Patrese when perhaps a designated #1 would have allowed Williams to fare better in the World Drivers Championship, and thus demonstrating the true capability of their car.

This is perhaps the reason behind Williams’ decision to re-recruit Nigel Mansell for the following season.

History will show that despite their enormous potential, Williams finished 4th in the 1990 World Constructors Championship with 57 points and two wins.

Williams FW13 Specs

Designed by:Patrick Head, Enrique Scalabroni
Year(s) active:1989, 1990
Official entrant:Canon Williams Team
Drivers:Thierry Boutsen, Riccardo Patrese
Engine:Renault normally aspirated 3.5 litre V10
Tyres:Goodyear
Fuel:Elf
Brakes:Carbon Industries carbon ceramic discs
Transmission:Williams/Hewland transverse 6-speed manual
Preceded by:Williams FW12
Succeeded by:Williams FW14

Williams FW13 Results

1989

BRA SMR MON MEX USA CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS
BOUTSEN DNF DNF 3
PATRESE DNF 2 3

1990

USA BRA SMR MON CAN MEX FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS
BOUTSEN 3 5 DNF 4 DNF 5 DNF 2 6 DNF DNF DNF 4 5 5
PATRESE 9 13 DNF DNF 9 6 DNF 5 4 DNF 5 7 5 4 6

1989

BRA SMR MON MEX USA CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS
BOUTSEN DNF DNF 3
PATRESE DNF 2 3

1990

USA BRA SMR MON CAN MEX FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS
BOUTSEN 3 5 DNF 4 DNF 5 DNF 2 6 DNF DNF DNF 4 5 5
PATRESE 9 13 DNF DNF 9 6 DNF 5 4 DNF 5 7 5 4 6
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Renault normally aspirated 3.5 litre V10
Tyres