Williams FW34

Design

Following their worst season in their thirty-year history—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.

The FW34 used the Renault RS27-2012 engine; 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 October 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

File:2012 Australian Grand Prix 08.jpg|Bruno Senna 2012 Australian Grand Prix Practice, 16 March 2012 File:Bruno Senna 2012 Malaysia Qualify.jpg|Bruno Senna 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix Qualifying, 24 March 2012 File:Pastor Maldonado 2012 Malaysia FP1.jpg|Pastor Maldonado 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix Practice, 23 March 2012 File:Bruno Senna 2012 Australian Grand Prix.jpg|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)

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

References

References

1. Collantine, Keith. (28 June 2011). "Williams appoints new technical staff for 2012 car". Keith Collantine.
2. (1 December 2011). "Pastor Maldonado Confirmed for 2012 with Valtteri Bottas as Reserve Driver". Williams F1.
3. Elizalde, Pablo. (17 January 2012). "Williams confirms Bruno Senna will race for the team in F1 in 2012". [[Haymarket Group.
4. "Williams FW34 - F1technical.net".
5. Beer, Matt. (4 July 2011). "Williams to run Renault engines again from 2012". [[Haymarket Group.
6. Noble, Jonathan. (25 January 2012). "Pirelli tweaks tyre markings for 2012 F1 season". [[Haymarket Group.
7. (14 December 2011). "Williams". Formula1.com.
8. Sam. (2012-05-13). "Williams FW34".
9. Collantine, Keith. (9 December 2011). "Williams fall into F1's vicious cycle". Keith Collantine.