Frank Williams “adores Formula One” and would gladly hire Hamilton

In an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian, Frank Williams, founder of the prestigious eponymous team, discusses the great moments in his team’s history and reflects on the present, where the men from Grove seem once again able to flirt with the top.

In Spain, Frank Williams celebrated his seventieth birthday in the most beautiful way, thanks to Pastor Maldonado’s success. A return to the forefront that coincided with his active return to the helm of the Grove team following the departure of Adam Parr, the former president of Williams F1. But Frank Williams does not see this “forced” return to business as a constraint: “I work every day of the week because there is a lot to do and I love Formula One. I’m just not ready to make a dramatic shift in my life, like staying at home.” And the Briton added: “I’d prefer not to be reminded that I’m 70 years old, but I am. On the other hand, I’m too busy to care.”

The native of Jarrow can care even less about his growing age as he has, after a long period of drought, reconnected with victory: « It was just relief. The relief that the car won again after so long. Then came the concern of being able to keep winning. That’s why there has been no self-satisfaction since. »

Given his experience, Frank Williams probably knows better than anyone how nothing is ever certain, having been ousted from his own team by Walter Wolf in 1976. Determined to succeed, Sir Frank then decided to try his luck again by partnering with engineer Patrick Head, forming what would become one of the greatest teams in the history of the discipline. Indeed, success did not take long to knock on the door of the Williams team, and its founder recalls the first victory of his team, won by Clay Reggazzoni, at the British Grand Prix in 1979: « I am not one to get emotional, but it was an unforgettable experience. It was truly heartwarming, and even if I say so myself, it was a popular success. It was really a turning point for Williams. »

Although he does not have a reputation for always being very tender with his drivers, Frank Williams nonetheless holds them in high regard. He has particularly fond memories of Ayrton Senna, who, after only three Grand Prix races with Williams, met a tragic end at the wheel of one of his cars during the fateful 1994 San Marino Grand Prix: « Ayrton Senna was a great man. He belonged to the people and was immensely popular. It was just a sad day for millions of people. I was very moved because it was one of our cars and he was such a special person. He was immensely charming but also tough, ruthless, and brilliantly talented. »

Frank Williams also remembers Alan Jones, who brought the team, still based in Didcot, its very first title in 1980: « Alan Jones was special too. He was a very funny guy. Tough but immensely talented. He won the championship and then he just messed around. He could have won again and again. He was that good. But he was the kind of person who didn’t linger once the goal was achieved.

As the 2012 season approached, many were hopeful with the return of the Renault engine but regretted that the Grove team did not have a better driver duo than Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna. However, in Barcelona, the Venezuelan allowed his team to reconnect with laurels they hadn’t touched since 2004 with Juan-Pablo Montoya’s victory in Brazil: « Pastor may seem carefree, but he spends a lot of time with the engineers and is deeply sincere and dedicated to racing. All the mechanics communicate well with him, and he is one of the main contributors [to the resurgence of Williams]. He is 27 years old, and maturity is very important. »

As for Bruno Senna, who is said to be on an ejector seat at Grove, notably due to his frequent off-track excursions, Frank Williams once again defends his team’s choice: « It’s not because he has the same name or the same talent as Ayrton. Bruno was simply a good candidate and a very intelligent person. There are no negative points, just a few positive points sufficient to say: “Yes, let’s give him a chance! »

But if he had the choice, which driver would he hire? His answer is hardly surprising: « Today, Vettel is very good. And Lewis Hamilton too. If you told me that all the drivers were free and willing to come to Williams, I would say: “Send Lewis!” I say this because he is English and he’s a winner. Lewis? I would welcome him anytime! » But before being able to attract world champions back to his team, Frank Williams knows that it must be able to meet their expectations: « What we need is a fast racing car. » However, the septuagenarian believes that his team is on the right track and has surrounded itself with the right people: « We have hired several good people who have made a real difference. »

Among these figures is Mike Coughlan, infamously known for the 2007 espionage affair, who, on the path to redemption, became the chief designer for Williams. Following Sam Michael’s departure to McLaren—where he has been criticized by some British media—Mark Gillan was recruited as the chief operations engineer. The team is now in good hands with Mike in charge of design and Mark handling race operations. They are helping us regain our momentum.

Frank Williams assures, however, that Patrick Head, the team’s iconic engineer who has gone for a well-deserved retirement, is never far away: « Patrick can tell us, “If I were you, I would do this rather than that. »