[ad_1]
Sport
The Williams racing family ended their association with Formula One on Sunday with a low-key result at the Italian Grand Prix that reflected their recent fortunes and the promise of one of their drivers to “drive like hell to honor the name.”
End of the road: Claire Williams. (Photo: AFP / Joe Klamar)
MONZA: The Williams family of racing ended its association with Formula One on Sunday with a low-key result at the Italian Grand Prix that reflected its recent fortunes and the promise of one of its drivers to “drive like hell to honor the name” .
After 740 races, 114 victories, 128 pole positions and 16 world championship titles, the team’s founder, Frank Williams, and his daughter Claire, who had been running the team as the team’s deputy director, severed their connection.
His departure, following the sale of the team to US investment group Dorilton Capital, also marked the end of an era for F1, as Williams was the last British-owned team in the sport.
On the track, Canadian rookie Nicholas Latifi finished just outside the points in eleventh position, while Britain’s George Russell was fourteenth.
They both paid heartfelt tributes to the Williams family from their cars on the team radio during slowdown laps after the race.
Claire, who had grown up as part of the team and knew little more than auto racing, was given the pre-race task of getting Latifi out of the garage.
“Good work Claire,” said the team.
She admitted that she found her last day on the pit wall at the Italian Grand Prix to be exciting.
“Everyone on the team,” he posted on social media.
“It has been a great pleasure and a great honor to work with you. Thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart.”
His father founded the team in 1977 and, together with technical director Patrick Head, built it from humble beginnings into a classy team regarded as serial winners before finding it impossible to compete and beat the top automaker teams in The 21st century.
The team’s last victory was at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, a weekend also remembered for a fire in their garage as they celebrated after the race.
On Sunday, after two seasons in which they finished last in the constructors ‘championship, the team drew attention to their budgetary constraints, compared to wealthier rivals such as Mercedes, Renault, Red Bull and Ferrari, by producing a’ homemade thank you. ‘. your cardboard card.
Formula One Managing Director Ross Brawn, who was the engineering and technical force behind Michael Schumacher’s seven drivers’ titles with Benetton and Ferrari, began his career with Williams.
On Sunday, he said: “At Williams, we are losing a family that has been a part of Formula One for so long, but on the other hand, it shows the confidence and support for F1 that new investments are coming in.”
Russell said: “I wouldn’t be here today without Frank and Claire. They gave me my opportunity in F1, as so many drivers, engineers, mechanics and so many others have done over the years.
“Thank you for everything. We will continue to drive like hell to honor the Williams name.”
