With major sponsorship secured from Saudi Arabian Airlines and TAG, the FW06 first took to the racetrack in the 1978 Argentine Grand Prix in the hands of Alan Jones, and a single car competed in all 16 rounds of the World Championship that season, finishing in the points 3 times including a second place at Watkins Glen, equalling Williams best result at the 1975 German Grand Prix. An excellent drive by Jones at Long Beach was unrewarded. While running second the car developed mechanical trouble and fell back. Jones liked the car, stating that it was pleasant to drive and was very drivable compared to previous machinery he had been given, and felt it was one of the best non ground effect cars that season. The higher budget afforded by the sponsorship deal allowed Patrick Head to continually develop the FW06 throughout the year. Williams finished ninth in the constructors' championship in 1978, matching the best performance by the team in its first incarnation achieved in 1975.