Race number 500 for Williams

Frank Williams

The European season draws to an end this weekend with a visit to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix on 14 September. The Autodromo Nazionale di Monza has a proud racing heritage, having hosted more Formula One races than any other track and all but one Italian Grand Prix since 1950. Monza’s depth of history makes it a fitting venue for Williams to record its 500th Grand Prix start next Sunday.

Williams Grand Prix Engineering was incorporated by Frank Williams and Patrick Head in 1978, but it was not until the Argentine Grand Prix in January 1979 that the new organization fielded its first own-designed and built race car, the FW06 for Alan Jones. Monza will mark the team’s 500th race start in its thirtieth year of racing, during which time the team has recorded 250,00km of competitive racing, scored 113 GP wins and won 16 World Championships – nine constructors’ titles and seven drivers’ titles.

While Nico Rosberg is not a candidate for this year’s crown, the young German is eagerly looking forward to racing at Motorsports temple of speed and celebrate the team’s 500th race with a points finish…..

“We had a good test in Monza two weeks ago, both in terms of evaluating new parts and defining set-up for the Grand Prix," he said. “I am looking forward to racing at the Autodromo, not only because it is the quickest circuit on the calendar, but also because it has so much history. Monza is really fun to drive because of the super fast start-finish straight, the right braking events at the end of the lap and also the curbs which you have to ride as much as you can. The faster corners are quite difficult to drive because we run such little downforce at Monza, but that doesn’t diminish the experience of driving at one of the best circuits we visit! To top the weekend off, the atmosphere, the people and the food in Italy are all great, so I’m really looking forward to the weekend!