[3] Newey's aerodynamics placed the car well ahead of the Benetton B196s of Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi and the Ferrari F310s that Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine had at their disposal.

[5] Williams retained Damon Hill for 1996, who helped to develop the FW18, and the car seemed to respond well to his smooth driving style,[citation needed] while his new teammate, Formula One rookie Jacques Villeneuve, also quickly adapted to the FW18.

Benetton (running the B196s of Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi for 1996), which had previously bested Williams in the past two seasons, had lost Michael Schumacher and several key technical people to Ferrari.

The Championship title was eventually decided in the Englishman's favour at the final round in Suzuka after Hill won the Japanese Grand Prix and Villeneuve's car lost its right-rear wheel.

Williams retained their title sponsorship from Rothmans for a third season and with it kept the blue and white livery along with the company's racing stripes of gold and red along the bodywork.

The cars showcased Rothmans logos, except at the European, French, British and German Grands Prix; which was replaced by either "Racing" or a barcode with a tricoloured generic rectangle that associated with the brand.