Williams has announced it will name its 2017 car the FW40 as it marks 40 years of racing in Formula One.

The team first entered a car - the March 761 driven by Patrick Neve - at the 1977 Spanish Grand Prix on May 8. As a result, next season will mark 40 years of Williams, and the team will hold a number of events to mark the anniversary. The first announcement concerns next year's car, which will be named the FW40, following on from this year's FW38.

“40 years ago Frank [Williams] and Patrick [Head] created what would become one of the most iconic teams in the history of Formula One – Williams," deputy team principal Claire Williams said.

“We are immensely proud of what we have achieved during our long and illustrious history. We have experienced the most euphoric highs - reaching the pinnacle of the sport nine times as a Constructor and created seven Champion drivers; Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve. We have also experienced the lows; the heartache that the sport can cause and victories that have agonisingly slipped away.

“So much has changed in Formula One in the last 40 years but one thing remains the same, our passion for motorsport. We want to celebrate our passion, our achievements and our heritage with everyone who has made this journey possible – our fans, partners, media colleagues and the many friends we have made over the last four decades. Racing, it’s in our blood, it’s our DNA and has been since 1977. We are proud of that and that will never change.”

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