AnObli In 1999, the British founded and led the Williams team, victorious of sixteen world titles between 1980 and 1997. He died on Sunday, November 28, at the age of 79 years.
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To recognize a legend of British sport, it is often enough to observe the presence of a “sir” before a surname. Sir Frank Williams, died Sunday, November 28, at the age of 79, earned his title of nobility by writing one of the most incredible legends of the formula 1. Modest amateur race pilot, the man has built of zero a mythical stable.
In forty-four years of existence, the WILLIAMS team won sixteen world titles. Nine manufacturers’ championships, which ranks second in the most popular strokes behind Ferrari (16), but in front of McLaren (8), Lotus or Mercedes (7). And seven pilot championships: the first in 1980 thanks to Australian Alan Jones, the last thanks to Jacques Villeneuve in 1997. Two years later, Queen Elizabeth II Anoblisted the charismatic pattern of stable.
“Sir Frank died peacefully this morning surrounded by his family. Today, we pay tribute to our beloved and inspiring fighter figure”, honored Williams Racing.
” A mentor and a friend “
Tetraplegic since a car accident in March 1986 on Var routes, Frank Williams fought long years against paralysis. Since 2012, he had moved away from the paddocks, leaving his daughter, Claire, take the reins of the family stable. In 2020, Williams F1 passed under the banner of the US Investment Fund Dorilton Capital.
Williams’s current pilot, George Russell, greeted his memory: “Today, we say goodbye to the man who embodies our team. It was more than a boss, it was a mentor and a Friend for all those who joined the Williams Racing family and for so many others. “Like the current British star, the seven-on world champion Lewis Hamilton:” What he has succeeded is something really special . His inheritance will continue forever. “
Stable pattern for fifty years, Frank Williams had created his first team in the late 1960s. A few years later, she is redeemed and her founder, ousted. After this first failure, he creates his jewel, in 1977, with the collaboration of the Engineer Patrick Head.
Williams symbolized the ones we nicknamed “the garages” of Formula 1, because independent of major car brands.
Which did not prevent him from having flair by joining with giants for their engines: first Honda, then Renault at the end of the 1990s.
At the time, flying a Williams was the quasi-insurance of a world champion title. Keke Rosberg in 1982, Nelson Piquet in 1987, Nigel Mansell in 1992 or Alain Prost in 1993 had assimilated him.
Damon Hill also piloted a Williams during his only world coronation in 1996. “Each driver wanted to be with Williams. He was determined, intelligent and a bright tactician, passionate about the motorization of his cars. I was very lucky That he gave me the opportunity to drive for him, “said the British.
Another weapons of Sir Williams is to have offered the neophyte Ayrton Senna his first test at the wheel of an F1 during the summer of 1983. The following year, the Future Brazilian idol officially started with another Stable.
Requiring boss
The reunion between Senna and Williams took place during a 1994 season, tragic. It is with Williams that the triple world champion was situated at the Grand Prix of San Marino, Italy, the 1 er May 1994.
Without turning to the drama, the collaborations of this demanding boss, placing the love of his team above all, have several times run short. As Piquet, Mansell or Prost, Damon Hill has changed stable after his title. “I got Graham Hill [double F1 world champion] for Father, so Frank was a kitten next to [laughs], he relatively relating with humor. He was not afraid to do what was needed for his team. “
In the mid-2000s, the WILLIAMS stable started a long tumble in the ruthless hierarchy of the F1. Its last win in Grand Prix dates from 2012. Despite some bursts, it plunges even “in grid” from 2018.
The family is definitely withdrawing in 2020. But the name of Williams remains more than ever on the circuits. And thanks to Frank, he went to posterity.