As was the standard arrangement for the many small British garagiste teams, the car was powered by the Cosworth DFV 3.0 litre V8 engine.

Inspired by the shortcomings of the March and his quick fix improvements done to the FW04[1] he took no chances and penned a simple and light car that handled well.

[3] With major sponsorship secured from Saudi Arabian Airlines and TAG, the FW06 first took to the racetrack in the 1978 Argentine Grand Prix in the hands of Alan Jones, and a single car competed in all 16 rounds of the World Championship that season, finishing in the points 3 times including a second place at Watkins Glen, equalling Williams best result at the 1975 German Grand Prix.

[6] The higher budget afforded by the sponsorship deal allowed Patrick Head to continually develop the FW06 throughout the year.

[7] Williams finished ninth in the constructors' championship in 1978, matching the best performance by the team in its first incarnation achieved in 1975.