Williams FW26
Juan Pablo Montoya in the Williams FW26 at the U.S. Grand Prix in 2004.
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The Williams FW26 was the Formula 1 racing car of Williams for the Formula 1 2004 season. He followed the Williams FW25 used in the previous season.
The V10 engine came like in the previous years of BMW. The tire continued to provide the French tire manufacturer Michelin.
Design
The FW26 noticed by an unusual front design. The side of the vehicle nose run two retaining structures. The hoped-for aerodynamic improvement could not be met, so the car's nose was replaced by a more conventional solution in the course of the year.
Driver
The driver line up from the previous year, consisting of Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher was not changed. Before the 2004 season, Montoya announced his move to McLaren for 2005. Also Ralf Schumacher's contract expired at the end of the year, so that there has been speculation about the new driver line-up again and again during the entire season.
During the U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis in the 10th round, a serious accident of Ralf Schumacher, who crashed on the start -finish straight at about 300 km / h backwards in the track wall of the steep curve occurred. Schumacher could not get themselves out of the wrecked car and was taken directly to the hospital. He broke a cervical vertebra and did not return for the last three races. He was replaced for the next 6 races by Marc Gené and Antonio Pizzonia.
Season 2004
Sporty It was a disappointing season. Was it in the first few races still within striking distance of Ferrari ( Montoya took 2nd place in Malaysia and No. 3 in Imola ), you fell during the year behind BAR- Honda and Renault. Nadir were certainly the two races in North America: the Grand Prix of Canada were disqualified for both cars to large brake ducts and during the U.S. Grand Prix, Ralf Schumacher crashed hard. He did not return for the last three races where he could still claim a second place ( Grand Prix of Japan) behind his brother Michael and Jenson Button in front of what was his only podium finish. The only won victory Juan Pablo Montoya at the last race in Brazil. Montoya finished the season with 58 points at No. 5, while Schumacher took 24 points in 12 races and was ninth in the overall standings. Pizzonia took 6 points. Williams - BMW finished the year with 88 points on a disappointing fourth place.