During qualifying for the 2016 European Grand Prix, the FW38 set the highest ever recorded speed of a Formula One car during an official session, at 378 km/h (235 mph).

[3] The car proved to be competitive in the early stages of the championship, with Massa and Bottas securing points finishes for the first half of the season.

On 17 May, two days after the Spanish Grand Prix, Williams tested a new radically rear wing design with a winglets on the side; similar to the cars from 1983-1984.

Alcohol laws meant Williams could not use their red Martini stripes in Abu Dhabi, instead using a blue livery.

At the Brazilian Grand Prix, Massa's car had his name placed on the engine cover and rear wing, in defence to the Martini logos.