Williams FW11 - One of the Best in the Turbo Era of Formula 1

The Williams – Honda FW11 was the Formula 1 World Championship winning car in the season of 1986 and one of the best cars constructed by the British team.

Built to overthrow McLaren from the throne

Williams team made a solid base with FW10, a car that won four races in 1985, and the new car was made with an ambition to overthrow McLaren from the throne. The technical director Patrick Head and the chief designer Frank Dernie were at the helm of the team that created this very successful car, while Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet had the task to score as many victories as they can with this car.

Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet, Williams Honda, Mexico City, 1986

Powerful Honda engine and superior aerodynamics

The main advantage of the Williams FW11 was a mighty Honda 1.5 liter V6 turbo engine. Furthermore, the aerodynamics of Williams FW11 was a step forward in comparison to other rival teams. Undoubtedly, this car was one of the most memorable and most successful cars of the Formula 1’s turbo era.

Williams – Honda FW11 cutaway

Boost pressure, ignition and fuel injection functions were all controlled and monitored by a host of micro processing equipment while the performances of both drivers were controlled and monitored not only by pit-to-car radio but also with a telemetry system which allowed the pit-based engineers to watch the instrument read-outs during the race.

Bad introduction to the season

The season of 1986 was tough for Williams Honda. The team owner Frank Williams in March had a horrible car accident in France. He sustained a spinal cord injury that left him tetraplegic. Patrick Head took the reigns of the team until the boss’ recovery. Head wasn’t able to establish good relations between the two drivers.

Nigel Mansell and Frank Williams, 1986 British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch

Piquet and Mansell dominated most of the season

Success at the beginning of the season was variable. Piquet won the Brazilian Grand Prix and finished 2nd at Imola after retiring in Spain, while Mansell was 2nd in Spain but retired in Brazil and at Imola. After not so convincing performances in Monaco, the situation started to improve from the Belgian Grand Prix. Mansell won the race at Spa, while Piquet retired. The British driver scored his second win of the season in Canada where the Brazilian was 3rd.

Mechanics preparing Williams – Honda FW11 for the race

The Detroit Grand Prix wasn’t the glorious one after Mansell took the 4th place, while Piquet retired from the race. Mansell later won both French and British Grand Prix leaving Piquet in the 3rd place at Circuit Paul Ricard and 2nd at Brands Hatch. The Brazilian fought back winning the German and the Hungarian Grand Prix, while Mansell finished 3rd in both races. The Austrian Grand Prix was the worst moment of the season after both Williams – Honda drivers failed to finish the race.

Nigel Mansell was 19 laps from the title

With four races to go, Mansell topped the standings. At the Italian Grand Prix, he finished second, behind Piquet. It was followed by a victory in the European Grand Prix and he was on a good way to win the title. He had a 10 points advantage to Piquet and 11 to Alain Prost. The gap was shortened after the Mexican Grand Prix in which he finished 5th, while Piquet was 4th.

Nigel Mansell driving Williams – Honda FW11 at Circuit Paul Ricard

The Australian Grand Prix at Adelaide Street Circuit was the season-closing race and Mansell had to finish at least 3rd to win the title. He won the pole position but he had a poor start of the race and dropped to the 4th place on the first lap. However, on lap 63 Mansell was in the 3rd position but on the following lap left rear tire exploded and the race along with a dream of winning the championship title were ended for the British driver. Prost won his second title while Mansell and Piquet finished second and third respectively.

Williams FW11 won the F1 Constructors’ championship

However, the consolation was the third Constructors’ championship title for Williams. There will be more to come for the team next year with almost the same car – Williams – Honda FW11B. The old model was more than competitive enough in 1987 and with small modifications was able to win both Drivers’ and Constructors’ championship titles.

Williams Honda F1 team, 1986

Williams – Honda FW11 specifications

Chassis: Moulded carbon composite monocoque
Engine: Longitudinally mounted Honda RA167-E 1.5l, 60 degrees V6, Turbo
Power: 800 BHP (1000 BHP in Qualifying) at 12.000 RPM
Gearbox: Williams/Hewland 6-speed manual
Aspiration: Twin-Turbocharged
Weight: 540 kg
Wheelbase: 2.79 m
Track front/rear: 1.8m/1.65m
Front suspension: Double wishbones, pushrods
Rear suspension: Double wishbones, pull rods
Fuel capacity: 195 l
Tires: Goodyear

Video – Williams Honda FW11

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