Race by race, Williams works towards Formula One glory

It's a long-term goal that won't be accomplished soon, but things do look promising. By Yanga Sibembe

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Williams Racing is one of the most significant teams in Formula One.

The British outfit, founded by grocery salesman Frank Williams and engineer Patrick Head in 1977, is the second most successful team in the sport's history. Only Italian team Ferrari (16) has won more constructors' championships than Williams.

The team was dominant throughout the 1980s and 1990s, earning its nine constructor's championship titles during that period. Australian driver Alan Jones won Williams its first drivers' world title in 1980. Clay Regazzoni had earned Williams its first points a year before.

In the next decade, Williams would achieve more success with the likes of Alain Prost, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve becoming Formula One champions in its stable.

Decline and change

The turn of the millennium brought with it a decline in Williams' performances, and it only worsened as the years went by.

The team earned a single point in 2019, finishing at the bottom of the 10-team constructors' championship after 21 races. To highlight just how poor Williams had performed, first-placed Mercedes had collected more than 700 points that year.

Fans of the team who were still holding on to the golden era of the '80s and '90s would have been forgiven for thinking it could not get worse. They were mistaken. Williams performed even worse in the 2020 season, concluding it without a single point.