The Williams team made the definitive leap in quality with the FW07, the latest version of which was used in the initial GPs of 1982. Starting from the Belgian GP, the new FW08 was ready for Keke Rosberg and Derek Daly. The FW08 was a fairly conventional single-seater, equipped with the classic Ford Cosworth V8 engine. Even though he won only one GP (that of Switzerland, raced in Dijon), Keke Rosberg became world champion, taking advantage of the upheavals of a crazy season.
At the 1982 Belgian GP – the race of Gilles Villeneuve's death – Keke Rosberg qualified on the second row, with the third fastest time. On that occasion Williams brought the new FW08 to the track, after the updated version of the FW07 had raced in South Africa, Brazil and Long Beach. Rosberg finished in second place, obtaining six precious points.