The world behind the racing

Inside Formula 1

The founders, engineering ideas and commercial relationships that shaped the sport. Follow a person, an organisation or an idea through history.

People and ideas worth knowing

Search the encyclopedia ↗
suppliers

Hewland →

A supplier whose history links racing gearboxes with Formula 1.

1964–1997 · Explore the connections
engineering

Peter Wright →

An aerodynamicist linked to Lotus’s ground-effect development.

1970 · Explore the connections
founders

Frank Williams →

Co-founder of Williams Grand Prix Engineering.

1977 · Explore the connections
engineering

Patrick Head →

Designer and engineering leader at Williams.

1977–1991 · Explore the connections
teams

Williams Grand Prix Engineering →

A constructor organisation founded through a driving ambition and an engineering partnership.

1977–2020 · Explore the connections
media

Murray Walker →

British broadcaster.

1978 · Explore the connections
cars

Williams FW06 →

Patrick Head’s first Williams design to race in Formula 1.

1978 · Explore the connections
safety

Bob Hubbard →

The engineer behind the HANS head-and-neck restraint.

1980 · Explore the connections
safety

HANS head-and-neck restraint →

A restraint system developed to reduce dangerous head and neck movement in impacts.

1980–2003 · Explore the connections
engineering

John Barnard →

A designer associated with composite chassis and paddle-operated transmission.

1981–1989 · Explore the connections
cars

McLaren MP4/1 →

A 1981 car associated with carbon-composite chassis construction.

1981 · Explore the connections

Connections through time

Selected reviewed links
Explore the technical catalogue