A historic day in Formula 1: The Williams family has announced that it is cutting ties with its Formula 1 team after 43 years. This will bring an era to an end.
Williams’ ailing Formula 1 team is taken over by the American investment company Dorilton Capital. With that takeover happens what the Williams family tried to prevent for years: it loses the team. The family, including founder Sir Frank Williams and his daughter, team principal Claire Williams, are stepping aside after the upcoming race weekend.
43 years ago, Williams started in Formula 1 under the leadership of Sir Frank. Over the years it grew into an immensely successful team, with the 80s and 90s as its absolute heyday. Especially the cars from 1992 and 1993 had no measure. In the new millennium Williams was less strong, with the last three years as the all-time low.
The idiosyncratic team, which refuses to buy many things and prefers to keep developing themselves, is struggling at the back of the field. Claire Williams’ position came under pressure as a result and the financial problems continued to pile up with the team. So now a party has been found that wants to take over. In return, the family will let go of their team. This weekend at the GP of Italy, Claire Williams will still be there as team boss, then it’s over and over. Even if it’s the end of the story for the Williams family, the family can look back with pride at the 114 GP wins, nine constructors ‘titles and seven drivers’ titles it has achieved with its own team over the years.