2017 Williams FW40-04

Key facts

Year

2017
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

1,600cc
Cylinders

V6
Valves

Double overhead camshaft
Output

950bhp at 15,000rpm
Maximum speed

Over 220mph
Performance

0-60mph 2.6 seconds
Price new

Not marketed
Loaned by

Private Owner
Manufacturer

Williams Racing, Grove, Oxfordshire

Williams Racing marked its fortieth anniversary by designating its 2017 car FW40, jumping from the previous year’s FW38. This is Chassis FW40-04. The drivers for the 2017 season were Lance Stroll and Felipe Massa, the latter returning to racing after a brief retirement for what would be his final year in F1. The team’s reserve driver, Paul di Resta stood in for Massa at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The FW40 is powered by a V6 turbo-charged power unit from Mercedes AMG, the Williams engine supplier since 2014.

Rule changes in 2014 saw the introduction of 1.6 litre turbo-charged, hybrid cars to Formula 1. Further rule changes followed in 2017 bringing greater weight, wider tyres and larger front and rear wings, all intended to make the cars faster, increasing the spectacle and excitement of the sport for its millions of fans.