During the 1983 season, Frank Williams managed to secure a supply contract for the powerful Honda RA163E twin-turbo V6 engine for 1984, taking it away from the small Spirit team that had exclusive use of it until the end of ’83. The advanced turbo engine debuted at the final race of the 1983 season in South Africa at the Kyalami circuit, replacing the outdated naturally aspirated Ford-Cosworth DFV V8 engines previously used. The new Williams FW09 seen in 1983 was developed in just a few months, though the project had begun even before the Honda deal was signed, by the usual team led by Patrick Head and including aerodynamicist Frank Dernie and designer Neil Oatley. The FW09 reused the suspension and gearbox of its predecessor, with modifications to the chassis mounts to fit the new Honda V6. Despite the quick turnaround, the FW09 scored a promising fifth-place finish on debut.
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| WILLLIAMS FW09, Keke Rosberg Dallas, United States GP 1984 |
For 1984, the FW09 was further refined, but the Williams-Honda collaboration initially bore little fruit. The turbo engine’s higher power output (860 hp in qualifying and 750 in races, compared to 540 hp from the Cosworth) overwhelmed the old aluminum chassis, which lagged behind the newer carbon fiber monocoques. This required reinforcement, adding more weight and pushing the total up to 560 kg. The engine also suffered from turbo lag and had an abrupt power delivery, putting immense strain on the suspension, gearbox, tires, and chassis.
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| WILLIAMS FW09, Keke Rosberg Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1984 |
The higher temperatures produced by the turbo engine and the need for larger intercoolers and radiators forced the team to enlarge the side pods. To reduce drag, Frank Dernie designed a narrower, albeit stubbier, nose, and mid-season, a “B” version of the FW09 was introduced, featuring a tapered rear section similar to what had already been seen on the McLaren MP4/2.
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| WILLIAMS FW09B, Keke Rosberg Estoril, Portuguese GP 1984 |
Suspension and chassis tweaks were also made, though the frame remained aluminum. The powerful Honda engine was paired with the same old five-speed Hewland gearbox, albeit reinforced to handle the increased torque and power. In the 1984 season, the car showed speed but lacked reliability, primarily due to the young and complex Japanese engine. The team’s two seasoned drivers, Jacques Laffite and Keke Rosberg, struggled to achieve consistent results.
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| WILLIAMS FW09B, Jacques Laffite Brands Hatch, British GP 1984 |
Only Rosberg adapted well to the aggressive turbo power, securing a win, a second-place finish, and a few other points-scoring results. Laffite, with a more refined driving style, failed to gel with the FW09 and only managed two points finishes, along with a string of retirements. The 1984 season ended disappointingly for Frank Williams’s team, with only 25.5 points and a sixth-place finish in the Constructors’ standings. However, the Williams-Honda partnership was just beginning...
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