Formula 1 mourns today one of its great ones. In fact, at the age of 79, Sir Frank Williams, founder of the homonymous stable and symbol of the Circus for over four decades, died. Born on April 16, 1942, Williams began his F1 adventure as a team owner in 1972 with Politoys, which later became Iso-Marlboro and – from 1975 onwards – Williams. After the first unsuccessful adventures, with the creature that bore his name Frank Williams has established himself all over the world. The team he created has in fact become the third most successful in the history of the Circus, after Ferrari and McLaren, and even the second most successful in the number of constructors’ championships. Nine: the first in 1980, the last in 1997, the year also of the last of the seven drivers’ titles won, with Jacques Villeneuve.
Appointed Sir in 1999, Williams led his team until 2012, when he chose to step back, leaving operational control of the team in the hands of his daughter Claire. The family definitively left control of the team last year, selling the property to the American investment group Dorilton Capital for 152 million euros. The news of his death was officially communicated by the Grove team and also relaunched by the official F1 communication channels. Obviously, there was enormous emotion in the whole motorsport family, of which Frank Williams was a fundamental exponent for many years.
A statement from Williams Racing. pic.twitter.com/PW1veyCLzV
– Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) November 28, 2021
“The Williams Racing team is extremely saddened by the death of our founder Sir Frank Williams – said in an official statement Jost Capito, current team principal of the team – Sir Frank was a legend and an icon of our sport. His passing marks the end of an era for our team and for the sport of Formula 1. He was one of a kind and a true pioneer. Despite the considerable adversities he faced in his life, he led our team to win 16 world championships making us one of the most successful teams in the history of the sport. His values, including integrity, teamwork and a fierce independence and determination, remain the core ethos of our team and are his legacy, as is the Williams family name under which we proudly run. Our thoughts are with the Williams family in this difficult time ”.
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