Williams FW14B: F1’s most technically advanced car

The FW14B had its origins in the FW14 that debuted at the 1991 United States Grand Prix. That car had plenty of promise, carrying Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese to seven victories over the season, but was ultimately undone by its poor reliability. A pioneer in itself, its innovative semi-automatic gearbox was the root cause of its reliability issues. 

Building on those foundations, the FW14B was even more of a game-changer with features like anti-lock brakes and traction control. But it was the car’s high-tech active suspension that proved most crucial to glory. 

Brake supplier AP Racing initially developed the clever new suspension before offering the technology to Williams. It ran with the opportunity, converting it from a mechanical to an electronic system programmed to deliver understeer or oversteer as the driver demanded.

The system’s other benefit was that it could keep the car’s body completely flat irrespective of whether the car was cornering, accelerating or braking. That provided the perfect platform for a young Adrian Newey to work his aerodynamic magic on his first big-budget project, having moved to the team from cash-strapped March. 

The car’s Renault engine was another key component. Claims that the French company’s V10 produced significantly more power than its rivals were later debunked by Williams’ second-in-command Patrick Head, but the 3.5-litre engine was lighter and considerably more reliable than the Honda unit used by the team’s closest rival, McLaren.

The FW14B’s combination of cutting-edge technology, Newey aerodynamics and Renault reliability was enough to see Williams dominate the 1992 season, with the car often lapping two seconds a lap quicker than its nearest competitors. Its most-impressive performance came in Nigel Mansell’s hands at the British Grand Prix, with the Englishman outqualifying his team-mate Riccardo Patrese by two seconds, and Ayrton Senna by three seconds. 

While the FW14B’s powerful aerodynamic package suited Mansell’s aggressive driving style, Patrese didn’t like the feel of the active suspension and struggled to get the best out of the car, winning just one race, the Japanese Grand Prix, that season. By contrast, Mansell took nine victories and had the Championship sewn up by round 11 in Hungary. He won the Championship scoring 108 points, 52 points more than runner-up Patrese, bringing home the Williams team’s fifth Constructors’ Championship. The FW14B was also Newey’s first Championship-winning car.

But while the FW14B would spark the career of its famed designer, it stalled Mansell’s future. Having signed a deal with Williams, the team reneged on the offer, choosing instead to sign one of his great rivals, Alain Prost for the 1993 season. Mansell, who’d held off signing to negotiate better terms, was livid, choosing to give up F1 altogether for a successful season in CART racing. To this day, he is the only driver ever to have been an F1 and CART Champion at the same time. 

Williams’ technical tour de force is just one of many F1 cars gracing the Hill at this year’s Festival of Speed, but when Mansell gets behind the wheel of the FW14B once again it is sure to be one of the most special moments of the whole event.

The 2025 Festival of Speed takes place on 10th-13th July. Friday and Saturday tickets are now sold out, but Thursday and limited Sunday tickets are still available.

Images courtesy of Getty Images.