Williams FW20

Williams FW20
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Category	Formula One
Constructor	Williams
Designer(s)	Patrick Head (Technical Director); Gavin Fisher (Chief Designer); Geoff Willis (Chief Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor	FW19
Successor	FW21
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)	Williams torsion bar/double wishbone, pushrod
Suspension (rear)	Williams coil-spring/double wishbone, pushrod
Engine	Mecachrome (Renault) GC37/01 V10 (71°) naturally aspirated
Transmission	Williams 6-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Fuel	Petrobras
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Winfield Williams
Notable drivers	1. Jacques Villeneuve; 2. Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Debut	1998 Australian Grand Prix
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The Williams FW20 was the car with which the Williams Formula One team competed in the 1998 Formula One season. It was driven by Jacques Villeneuve, the reigning champion, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was in his second year with the team.

Jacques Villeneuve driving the FW20 at the 1998 Italian Grand Prix.

The team was adversely affected by the departure of Chief Designer Adrian Newey to McLaren, and Renault's withdrawal from F1 as an engine supplier. Newey and Renault had made Williams the dominant team of the early and mid 1990s. Newey had departed at the end of 1996, but his input had gone into the FW19 for 1997, so the FW20 was the first Williams car since 1990 that did not directly bear his design. The car was equipped with a Mecachrome-badged version of what was essentially the previous year's engine. Also gone was the highly distinctive blue and white Rothmans livery, as the company had decided to promote its Winfield brand.

1998 was very disappointing compared to the previous championship-winning campaign. The team finished a distant third in the Constructors' Championship, with three podiums and no wins, a long way behind McLaren and Ferrari.

Villeneuve was unhappy with the season and had no chance to defend his title. He signed with the new British American Racing team for 1999, and Frentzen departed to Jordan after two seasons spent largely in the shadow of his team-mate.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Points	WCC
1998	Williams	Mecachrome V10	G		AUS	BRA	ARG	SMR	ESP	MON	CAN	FRA	GBR	AUT	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	LUX	JPN	38	3rd
				Jacques Villeneuve	5	7	Ret	4	6	5	10	4	7	6	3	3	Ret	Ret	8	6
				Heinz-Harald Frentzen	3	5	9	5	8	Ret	Ret	15	Ret	Ret	9	5	4	7	5	5