WilliamsF1 (formerly Williams Grand Prix Engineering) was founded in 1977 by Frank Williams and Patrick Head. They set up base in a small industrial unit at Station Road in Didcot, Oxfordshire, and with a staff of only 17 set about the task of preparing to enter into competition in Formula One.

By the start of the 1978 season, the first Patrick Head-designed Formula One car, the FW06, was ready and Frank had found sponsorship to tempt the Australian, Alan Jones, to join the team. From that point, the team never looked back, for the FW06 in the hands of Jones was extremely competitive.

In 1979 Jones continued as team leader with Clay Regazzoni in a second car. The team had really arrived at the British Grand Prix in 1979 when, after Jones disappointingly retired from the lead, Regazzoni was able to drive to victory – the first ever for Frank Williams. The trend was to continue as Jones won four of the six remaining races that year.