Walker, Murray - - -The voice of F1. While Murray can get excited without cars even being out on the track, his enthusiasm is infectious. His slips of the tongue, misrecognition of drivers and even cars and appalling maths have made him an institution. He is the main commentator for the U.K. tv coverage, assisted by ex-F1 driver MARTIN BRUNDLE
Walkinshaw, Tom - - -Owner, ARROWS GRAND PRIX INTERNATIONAL and Managing Director of the TWR GROUP, founded in 1976. TWR is capable of designing and manufacturing race cars of all types and also carries out extensive research and development work on behalf of a number of vehicle manufacturers. Scottish-born Walkinshaw raced in Formula Ford, F3, F2 and Formula 5000 before joining Ford in 1973 as a design engineer. He continued his racing career in touring cars over the next decade, winning the European Touring Car Championship in 1984. He retired from active competition two years later to concentrate on the Jaguar race programme which TWR ran until 1993. TWR work on such road cars as the Aston Martin DB7, Jaguar XJ220 and Volvo C70 established the company as a major force in automotive engineering and earned him the title of Autocar Man of the Year in 1997.
Warm-up - - -A free Formula One practice session that takes place on race day. It lasts 30 minutes and occurs four hours and 30 minutes prior to the scheduled race start time.
Watkins Glen - - -Centre in upstate New York, southwest of Syracuse, home of the United States Grand Prix from 1961-80 inclusive. The race track at Watkins Glen featured two configurations for Grand Prix racing, a 3.701- km track in 1961-70, and a larger 5.435-km circuit to which five turns were added (1971-80). Britons Graham Hill and Jim Clark both recorded three victories at Watkins Glen.
Watson - - -Make of race car that won three editions of the Indianapolis Grand Prix, in 1956 (Pat Flaherty), 1958 (Rodger Ward) and 1959 (Jim Rathmann). As with all winners in the 11 Indy races, it was powered by an Offenhauser 4.5 L4 engine.
Wheel Cable - - -In the new 1999 regulations, cables will be fitted to prevent the wheels becoming separated from a car in an accident.
Williams, Sir Frank - - -Motor racing enthusiast, former driver and founder of WILLIAMS GRAND PRIX ENGINEERING, one of the most successful Formula One teams of the last 20 years. Despite being confined to a wheelchair as the result of a road accident, Williams still attends Grands Prix and remains heavily involved with the running of the team that bears his name. Knighted by the Queen in 1998 for "services to motor racing".
Williams Grand Prix Engineering - - -With headquarters in Wantage, Oxfordshire, the Williams Formula One team is controlled by Managing Director, FRANK WILLIAMS, Technical Director, PATRICK HEAD and General Manager, Dave Williams. Williams Grand Prix Engineering has been a force to be reckoned with on the Formula One scene since the company was founded in 1977 by Frank Williams and designer, Patrick Head. Since that time, it has captured nine Constructors' World Championships and seven Drivers' titles: Alan Jones (1980), Keke Rosberg (1982), Nelson Piquet (1987), Nigel Mansell (1992), ALAIN PROST (1993), DAMON HILL (1996) and JACQUES VILLENEUVE (1997). Associated with RENAULT SPORT for most of the 1990s, Williams raced Renault-based MECACHROME engines in 1997, and has signed an agreement with BMW for the exclusive supply of engines from the year 2000.
Wind tunnel - - -A tunnel-like structure through which air can be forced at various speeds in order to test its effects on racing cars, as measured by special wind gauges and electronic devices. This is especially valuable in measuring DOWNFORCE and other aerodynamic drag.
Wolf, Team - - -Racing Formula One team founded by wealthy Austro-Canadian businessman, WALTER WOLF, in 1976. The team's first car, the HARVEY POSTLETHWAITE designed Wolf-Ford WR1, had the distinction of winning its first-ever event, the 1977 Argentine Grand Prix, with Jody Scheckter at the wheel. Walter Wolf Racing competed in Formula One between 1977 and 1979, and recorded a total of three victories during that time.
Wolf, Walter - - -Wealthy Austro-Canadian businessman, motor racing enthusiast and founder of Walter Wolf Racing, which competed in Formula One between 1977 and 1979. Rumoured to be considering a comeback to the sport.
Wurz, Alexander - - -Alexander Wurz has the potential to succeed MICHAEL SCHUMACHER as top dog in F1, but is presently driving for BENETTON. Hopefully, his lack of results will not be seen as an indication of his potential, and that he will be picked up by one of the bigger teams soon.