Car

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The Williams-Toyota FW31 is the first major clean-sheet car design for perhaps 30 years, driven
by a wholesale change in Sporting and Technical Regulations. The new Sporting Regulations are
intended to increase car reliability and further reduce costs, while the changes to the Technical
Regulations have three objectives – reducing the role of aerodynamics in the car’s performance,
making overtaking easier and keeping lap times in check. These changes have had significant
implications both on the appearance of this season’s race car and in shifting its performance
baseline.

Sam Michael reflected, “The changes in the aerodynamic regulations are the most profound and

will have the most impact on lap time. There are many immediate visual
changes, but also many smaller reductions around the car through new regulation wording and
exclusion zones. Starting at the front, the front wing end plate design has changed as the
interaction with the front tyre is completely different, and important to control. There are no
longer large barge boards – although we managed to squeeze a small one in. The engine cover no
longer has the traditional chimneys and louvers on top for cooling, and that has forced a higher
and wider exit at the rear in order to provide an effective exit for hot air. Of course the re-
introduction of slick tyres is another significant change as it has an influence on the overall
dynamics of the race car. Finally, of course, the introduction of KERS is another aspect to the
technical picture for the year ahead.”

Michael went on to explain how the changes in aerodynamic rules, which see a much reduced

rear wing geometry and conversely, a considerably wider front wing profile,
with the front wing flap angle adjustable by the driver in the cockpit, would be the competitive
focus for all the teams for much of the year ahead. “Aerodynamics is likely to be the key to the
first two thirds of the season ahead,” he said, while rating the change to slick tyres as another
significant rule change for 2009. “Finding the optimum weight distribution to optimise tyre
performance will also be a high priority going into 2009 and KERS will be the next contributor
to race performance. “ Michael confirmed.

The introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) in 2009 is not an obligatory
element of the regulations, but may provide an opportunity for teams to gain competitive
advantage. The amount of energy that can be recovered and used may increase in future
regulations, but the level set for the technology’s introductory year, set against considerations of
weight and reliability, make the initial advantages less than gains to be achieved through

aerodynamics and mechanical dynamics. Sam Michael contextualised this

view, saying, “KERS in 2009 could be worth between 2/10ths and 3/10ths of a second per lap.
However, once aero performance converges, KERS could start to become a greater performance
differentiator and if the regulations give more scope to the technology, it could be worth
anything up to a second a lap and it will be needed to win Grands Prix. The key decision for us
with our system is to carefully balance the potential performance advantage with our ambition to
improve an already strong reliability record from last season.”
Tech Spec
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Technical specification of the Williams-Toyota FW31, the team's 2009 championship entry. 

Chassis construction   

Monocoque construction fabricated from carbon aramid epoxy and honeycomb composite
structure, surpassing FIA impact and strength requirements

Front suspension   
Carbon fibre double wishbone arrangement, with composite toelink and pushrod activated
springs and anti-roll bar

Rear suspension   

Double wishbone and pushrod activated springs and anti-roll bar

Transmission   

Williams F1 seven speed seamless sequential semi-automatic shift plus reverse gear in a
aluminium maincase, gear selection electro-hydraulically actuated

Clutch   

Carbon multi-plate

Dampers   
Williams F1

Wheels   
RAYS forged magnesium

Tyres   
Bridgestone Potenza, Fronts: 350mm wide, Rears: 375mm wide

Brake system   
6 piston calipers all round, carbon discs and pads

Steering   
Williams F1 power assisted rack and pinion

Fuel system   
Kevlar-reinforced rubber bladder

Cooling system   
Aluminium oil, water, and gearbox radiators

Electronic system
FIA standard electronic control unit

Cockpit   
Driver six point safety harness with 75mm shoulder straps & HANS system, removable
anatomically formed carbon fibre seat covered in Alcantara. Extinguisher systems.

Motive Power   
Toyota 2.4L V8, 900 V angle, pneumatic valve train. Fuel management and ignition systems by
Toyota. Engine materials include block and pistons in aluminium, crankshaft in steel billet,
connecting rods in titanium

Dimensions & weight   

Weight 605kg with driver, camera and ballast
Wheelbase: 3100mm
Overall length: 4800mm
Overall height: 950mm
Overall width: 1800mm
Recruitment
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Formula One is a human capital business. Without world class talent matched to a profound
commitment to go beyond the definition of the normal understanding of commitment, success in
Formula One would be an elusive goal.

It follows therefore that Williams' staff are its most important asset. The company prizes itself in
a positive level of engagement, support and reward for its workforce, reflected in the number of
employees who have served 25 years or more with the organisation.

Click here for a list of jobs available at Williams F1.

Work Experience & Student Placement Policy 

Purpose
As part of the Company’s on-going commitment to the importance of Schools, Colleges and
Universities in supplying the talented artisans, technicians, engineers and business support staff
to the Formula One industry in the future, we operate a work experience and student placement
programme. The purpose of work experience and student placements is to encourage further
study and careers in Maths, Science, Engineering, Design and Information Technology, Media
and Marketing.  Our overall aim is to bring engineering and work related subjects to life,
enthusing students about such subjects, and helping to equip them for their future careers,
particularly in precision engineering environments such as ours. This is particularly important
with the declining interest of students to pursue careers in precision engineering.

Work Experience and Student Placement Opportunities Available

The Company receives many applications from students who would like the opportunity to
undertake work experience or student placements. Due to such high demand along with limited
availability due to our company size, resources and racing commitments, we are only able to
accommodate the following opportunities each year:

 Maximum of 10 one-week unpaid work experience students 

 Maximum of 10 paid student placements per year

In addition to the above, we also offer a “Taster Week” to secondary school students titled “Five
days in the Life of WilliamsF1.” This programme can accommodate 10 students and is designed
to provide an insight into the diverse range of skills and occupations required by the Company to
produce a Formula One racing car. This programme is therefore ideal in assisting students to
make the right career, apprenticeships and/or future subject choices. This programme takes place
at the end of July each year.

In the case of student placements, students will work under the mentorship of an experienced
team member, gaining significant experience, as well as invaluable information for final year
dissertations / thesis. Along the way, students will pick up a diverse range of new skills and
competencies that can be universally applied in an environment that is constantly changing.

Throughout the duration of the placement, the student will have regular performance evaluations
with the nominated manager to aid professional and personal development. The Company’s
informal working culture will also allow the student to network with the full spectrum of people
working within the team.

Due to our car-build commitments, work experience and short-term student placements are not
available between October and April each year. Additionally, we are not able to accommodate
work experience students for periods longer than one week. 

Only students taking part in the student placement programmes can be accommodated in our
Aerodynamics, Design, Test Facilities, Marketing and Media Departments. We do not offer any
work experience or student placement opportunities on our Race or Test Teams.
Work Experience and Student Placement Application Process
When short-listing work experience and student placement applications, the Company generally
expects students to be studying relevant subjects at school or have achieved very high results at
school, college or university in subjects such as Maths, English, Science, Art, Design,
Communications, Mechanical or Automotive Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering and
Information Technology.

In addition to the above, active participation in programmes such as Formula Schools, Formula
Student, or F1 in Schools, may be an advantage as well as demonstrating an active interest in
leisure activities such as go-karting, restoring or working on cars, building working models of
cars and planes. If applying for student placements in Marketing and Media, students should
ideally be able to demonstrate an active interest in School/College/University newsletters and
publications, organising and assisting with community activities and events etc.

When applying for work experience or student placements opportunities, all students are
expected to submit a covering letter along with a brief essay and curriculum vitae (if relevant)
containing the following information:

 Whether you are applying for work experience, the “Taster Week” or a paid student
placement
 Your current career aims and how you plan to achieve them
 Subjects that you are currently taking and plan to take
 Relevant leisure pursuits and activities
 Why work experience with the Company would be beneficial to you
 Demonstrate that you are the best person to be selected

The closing date for all work experience, “Taster Week” and student placements is 30th
November for the following calendar year. Shortlisting will take place between December and
February and those students that are shortlisted will be invited to attend an interview and/or
selection tests during this period.  We will also obtain academic references as part of the
selection process.  The outcome of all applications will be notified in by March of the relevant
calendar year. The reason for this timescale is to take account of our busy car-build and pre-
season preparations.

Arrangements for Travel and Accommodation

It is expected that the student or their family takes sole responsibility for making suitable travel
and accommodation arrangements. 

Health and Safety

A standard risk assessment form is provided in Appendix One. Comprehensive training on
manual handling and fire safety will be provided on the student’s first day as part of the
induction process. The student will also be protected under the company’s Employer’s Liability
and Public Liability Insurance.

Applications
Applications for the work experience or student placement programmes should be sent to
hr@williamsf1.com. Your application will be acknowledged within two weeks of you sending us
the application, and we will contact you by the end of February to confirm if you have been
successful in your application.

Note: Due to the short term nature of both work experience placements and student placements
we are unable to accept applications from candidates who do not have entitlement to live or work
in the United Kingdom.