Williams FW34

The Williams FW34^[7] was a Formula One racing car designed by Williams F1 for the 2012 Formula One season.

Williams FW34

Valtteri Bottas driving the FW34 during the FP1 at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Williams
Designer(s)	Mike Coughlan (Technical Director)[1] Ed Wood (Chief Designer) Jason Somerville (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor	Williams FW33
Successor	Williams FW35
Technical specifications[2]
Chassis	Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque
Suspension (front)	Double wishbone, push-rod activated springs and anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbone, pull-rod activated springs and anti-roll bar
Engine	Renault RS27-2012[3] 2.4 L (146 cu in) V8 naturally aspirated mid-mounted
Transmission	Williams F1 seven speed seamless sequential semi-automatic shift plus reverse gear, gear selection electro-hydraulically actuated
Weight	640 kg (1,411.0 lb) (with driver)
Fuel	Total
Tyres	Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)[4] RAYS forged magnesium wheels (front and rear): 13"
Competition history
Notable entrants	Williams F1 Team
Notable drivers	18. Pastor Maldonado[5] 19. Bruno Senna[6]
Debut	2012 Australian Grand Prix
First win	2012 Spanish Grand Prix
Last win	2012 Spanish Grand Prix
Last event	2012 Brazilian Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 20 1 1 1 1

Design

Following their worst season in their thirty-year history^[8]—in which they finished ninth in the World Constructors' Championship with just five points—the team underwent a technical review, employing former McLaren designer Mike Coughlan (having served his suspension for his role in the 2007 Formula One espionage controversy) as Chief Designer, and promoting Jason Somerville to Head of Aerodynamics.^[1]

The FW34 used the Renault RS27-2012 engine;^[3] the team had previously used Renault engines between 1989 and 1997. The car, which was launched on the 7 February 2012, was driven by Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna.

Racing history

At the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, Maldonado drove the FW34 to pole position and converted it to victory the next day. It was Maldonado's first and only Formula One race win, Williams' first race win since Juan Pablo Montoya won the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix driving an FW26, and Williams' most recent race win as of February 2025.

Livery

Drawing the inspiration from the Rothmans-sponsored FW19 of 1997, the blue colour on the engine cover was flipped along with other minor changes. PDVSA was retained for the second year with new sponsorships from Procter & Gamble products (Gillette and Head & Shoulders).

Gallery

• 
  Bruno Senna 2012 Australian Grand Prix Practice, 16 March 2012
• 
  Bruno Senna 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix Qualifying, 24 March 2012
• 
  Pastor Maldonado 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix Practice, 23 March 2012
• 
  Bruno Senna spinning at the start of the 2012 Australian Grand Prix

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Entrant	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	Points	WCC
2012	Williams F1	Renault RS27-2012	P		AUS	MAL	CHN	BHR	ESP	MON	CAN	EUR	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	SIN	JPN	KOR	IND	ABU	USA	BRA	76	8th
				Pastor Maldonado	13†	19†	8	Ret	1	Ret	13	12	16	15	13	Ret	11	Ret	8	14	16	5	9	Ret
				Bruno Senna	16†	6	7	22†	Ret	10	17	10	9	17	7	12	10	18†	14	15	10	8	10	Ret

^† Driver failed to finish the race, but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.

References

1. Collantine, Keith (28 June 2011). "Williams appoints new technical staff for 2012 car". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
2. "Williams FW34 - F1technical.net".
3. Beer, Matt (4 July 2011). "Williams to run Renault engines again from 2012". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
4. Noble, Jonathan (25 January 2012). "Pirelli tweaks tyre markings for 2012 F1 season". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
5. "Pastor Maldonado Confirmed for 2012 with Valtteri Bottas as Reserve Driver". Williams F1. 1 December 2011. Archived from the original on 3 December 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
6. Elizalde, Pablo (17 January 2012). "Williams confirms Bruno Senna will race for the team in F1 in 2012". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
7. "Williams". Formula1.com. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
8. Collantine, Keith (9 December 2011). "Williams fall into F1's vicious cycle". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 3 February 2012.

External links