For the 1981 season, Frank Williams' team once again uses the FW07, now in its third evolution, the "C". Patrick Head, Neil Oatley, and Frank Dernie focus mainly on the suspension system. With the new regulations banning sliding skirts and imposing a minimum ground clearance of 6 cm, the suspension must now ensure a very stiff setup without compromising tire durability.
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| WILLIAMS FW07C, Alan Jones Monza, Italian GP 1981 |
The FW07C is almost identical to the previous "B" version, except for the softer shapes of the nose, where side wings reappear to compensate for the loss of downforce. In some cases, a full-width front wing, similar to Ferrari's, is also used. At the rear, in front of the wheels, fins reappear to direct airflow toward the rear wing. The car confirms the quality of its design, allowing the Grove-based team to compete at the highest level for the third consecutive year.
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| WILLIAMS FW07C, Carlos Reutemann Zolder, Belgian GP 1981 |
The two excellent drivers from the 1980 season are retained: reigning World Champion Alan Jones from Australia and Carlos Reutemann from Argentina. Reutemann fights for the championship title until the very last Grand Prix. The season starts in the best possible way, with Jones winning at Long Beach ahead of Reutemann. However, in Brazil, the relationship between the two cracks when Reutemann overtakes Jones midway through the race and goes on to win. Jones is deeply disappointed and declares that he will no longer support his teammate. As the season progresses, Jones suffers a series of retirements and poor performances, which exclude him from the title fight. Reutemann remains in contention but, without his teammate’s support, is ultimately unable to challenge Piquet's Brabham.
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| WILLIAMS FW07D, Alan Jones private test |
The FW07C achieves four wins, six second places, and three third places throughout the season, securing Williams' second consecutive Constructors' Championship with 95 points. Reutemann finishes as the runner-up in the Drivers' Championship, while Jones places third and retires from racing at the end of the season. During 1981, Frank Williams' team also tests a "D" variant of the FW07, designed by Patrick Head. This version features a double rear axle with four driven wheels of the same size as the front ones. The goal is to improve aerodynamic efficiency and maximize ground effect by further widening the diffuser tunnels. Alan Jones tests the car in private sessions, but with no significant results. Given the competitiveness of the FW07C, the project is abandoned.
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| WILLIAMS FW07, Emilio de Villota Jarama, Spanish GP 1981 |
At the Spanish Grand Prix in Jarama, a third FW07 is entered in its 1979 configuration by the private team "Equipo Banco Occidental," driven by Emilio de Villota. The Concorde Agreement limits the number of cars allowed in a Grand Prix to 30 (12 from FISA and 18 from FOCA), and De Villota’s team does not belong to either faction. The two federations ensure that if one of the 30 registered cars does not participate, its spot will go to the Spanish driver. On Thursday evening of the race weekend, ATS has not yet submitted the required license documentation and is excluded from the Grand Prix, allowing De Villota to participate in Friday’s free practice (completing just one lap before his engine blows). However, on Friday afternoon, ATS resolves its bureaucratic issues and is readmitted, forcing De Villota to abandon his dream of racing at his home circuit.
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