Theissen reflects on the 2004 Hamilton affair…
Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport director, downplays claims that he allegedly blocked Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Williams at the end of 2004. As for Patrick Head, co-owner of Williams, he revealed earlier this year that his team had the opportunity to sign Hamilton when he was in the F3 Euro Series. The deal was allegedly dropped […]
Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport director, downplays claims that he allegedly blocked Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Williams at the end of 2004.
As for Patrick Head, co-owner of Williams, he revealed earlier this year that his team had the opportunity to sign Hamilton when he was in the F3 Euro Series. The deal was allegedly dropped because Theissen stated he was not interested in the driver.
Head stated: We were in cahoots with BMW at the time and I think Frank Williams must have told Mario Theissen ‘look, this guy is quite good’.
« I think Mario Theissen said they were not willing to provide all the necessary support for Hamilton. Our financial situation was difficult. »
But Theissen insisted that there was never a real opportunity for Williams to see Hamilton join their ranks.
« There was no serious possibility, » he commented on the situation with Hamilton.
« We had talks, but it was always clear he was McLaren’s protégé. So I never looked further. »
