Williams

Williams is one of the world's leading Formula 1 teams - and the Williams name has been synonymous with top-level motor racing since the 1960s.

Since 1977, when the team was founded, Williams has won 16 championships (nine constructors and seven drivers, with Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve).

Frank Williams and Patrick Head's alliance began in 1977 and the team displayed strong performances soon. In 1980, Jones took the championship, helping the team to its first constructors' title in the process - an accolade it retained in 1981. When Jones retired, Rosberg took his place and became Finland's first champion in 1982.

In 1987, Williams swept to another title double with Piquet. In 1992, a record-breaking year saw Mansell clinch the title as the team romped to another constructors' championship.

In 1993, the team's successful run continued seamlessly with Prost claiming his fourth title. After Prost retired, Ayrton Senna took his place. In only the third race of 1994, however, Senna crashed at the San Marino GP suffering fatal injuries. Since then, every Williams race chassis has borne Senna's name.

In 1994, Hill's endeavours helped the team to retain its status as the sport's leading constructor, a considerable source of pride given the tragic circumstances.

Villeneuve joined the team for 1996 and emerged as Hill's sternest title rival but the Briton prevailed clinching the championship. In 1997, however Villeneuve came up trumps to become Canada's first champion.

Turbulent campaigns then followed for the British team. In the latter half of the 2000s, difficulties emerged with the squad failing to add another race win since the 2004 Brazilian GP. 2011 proved to be one of the most difficult in the team's history.

In 2012, Williams ended the drought after Pastor Maldonado won the Spanish Grand Prix, boosted by the revival of historic partnership with Renault as an engine supplier. These were small steps but a huge achievement considering its recent history, setting the foundation for a solid future again.