To recognize a British sport legend, it is often enough to observe the presence of a “Sir” before a surname. Sir Frank Williams, who died Sunday, November 28, at the age of 79, earned his title of nobility by writing one of the most incredible legends of Formula 1. A modest amateur racing driver, the man has built zero a legendary team.
In its forty-four year history, the Williams team has won sixteen world titles. Nine constructors’ championships, which ranks it second among the most successful teams behind Ferrari (16), but ahead of McLaren (8), Lotus or Mercedes (7). And seven drivers’ championships: the first in 1980 thanks to the Australian Alan Jones, the last thanks to Jacques Villeneuve in 1997. Two years later, Queen Elizabeth II ennobled the charismatic team boss.
“Sir Frank passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by his family. Today we pay tribute to our beloved and inspiring figurehead ”, paid tribute to Williams Racing.
“A mentor and a friend”
Quadriplegic since a car accident in March 1986 on the roads of the Var, Frank Williams fought for many years against paralysis. Since 2012, he had moved away from the paddocks, leaving his daughter, Claire, to take over the reins of the family team. In 2020, Williams F1 had passed under the banner of the American investment fund Dorilton Capital.
Current Williams driver George Russell hailed his memory: “Today we say goodbye to the man who embodies our team. He was more than a boss, he was a mentor and friend to everyone who joined the Williams Racing family and to so many others. ” Like the current British star, the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton: “What he achieved is something really special. His legacy will last forever. ”
Team boss for fifty years, Frank Williams created his first team at the end of the 1960s. A few years later, it was bought and its founder ousted. After this first failure, he created his jewel, in 1977, with the collaboration of engineer Patrick Head.
Williams symbolized those who were nicknamed “the garage owners” of Formula 1, because they were independent of the major automobile brands.
This did not prevent him from having flair by allying with giants for their engines: first Honda, then Renault at the end of the 1990s.
At the time, driving a Williams was almost a guarantee of a world championship title. Keke Rosberg in 1982, Nelson Piquet in 1987, Nigel Mansell in 1992 or Alain Prost in 1993 had assimilated it well.
Damon Hill also drove a Williams during his only world crown in 1996. “Every driver wanted to be with Williams. He was determined, intelligent and a brilliant tactician, passionate about the power of his cars. I was very lucky that he gave me the opportunity to drive for him ”, said, at World, the Briton.
Another achievement of Sir Williams is to have offered neophyte Ayrton Senna his first test at the wheel of an F1 in the summer of 1983. The following year, the future Brazilian idol officially debuted with another team.
Demanding boss
The reunion between Senna and Williams took place during a tragic 1994 season. It was with Williams that the three-time world champion was killed at the Grand Prix in San Marino, Italy, on 1er May 1994.
Without turning into drama, the collaborations of this demanding boss, placing the love of his team above all else, have several times come to an end. Like Piquet, Mansell or Prost, Damon Hill changed teams after his title. “I had Graham Hill [double champion du monde de F1] for father, so Frank was a kitten next door [rires], he relativizes with humor. He wasn’t afraid to do what was necessary for his team. ”
In the mid-2000s, the Williams team began a long tumble within the ruthless hierarchy of F1. Her last Grand Prix victory dates back to 2012. Despite a few jumps, she even dives “to the back of the grid” from 2018.
The family is retiring permanently in 2020. But the name of Williams remains more than ever present on the circuits. And thanks to Frank, he has passed on to posterity.