Sir Frank Williams

[David Holland 2]

Sorry it’s not r/c related but just heard that Sir Frank Williams has died. A Formula One legend and a true gentleman.

 

David

[John Tee]

Sad news, seems to have been around F1 for ever. Team was sold a while ago.

 

[kc]

I remember seeing Frank Williams racing a Lotus 23 at Brands about 1963 and he seems to have been actively involved in racing until last year.   He might be the last team owner to have his own name on an F1 car.

[Kim Taylor]

Nothing like the history, but I think I'm right in saying that Gene Haas still owns a majority share of his eponymous F1 team... but I digress

R.I.P Sir Frank, your like will never be seen again, certainly not in F1 anyway. My condolences to his family and friends.

Kim

[Basil]

Yes very sad, a true inovator. There may probably never be another like him. His memory will live on for a long time.

Bas

[Erfolg]

Another sad event.

 

Just as many others on this web site, I remember a different time, where money was an issue to much of track racing. Williams as a constructor (and probably as a driver) was created in that era, Now money is much, much, much, more important in all aspects of motor racing. Williams as a person and team spanned this period.

 

The cars and the production faculties went from one level of sophistication, which was quite high, to truly not just cutting edge, but just in front. I remember Chevron Cars, just a few hundred yards from where I then worked (whilst studying), in the late 60s or early 70s, where I saw that the chasis was built on a Surface Table, using Vernier and DTIs. Now I guess it will be Lasers, Computers, exotic materials. Not Chrome or Steel tubing. 

 

He is team and family really did exceedingly well to successfully span such a transition.

 

I mostly remember or associate Williams with Active Suspension, Honda engines and Nigel Mansell. Of course there were others, Chaparral, Lotus, even BMW (beards) who also innovated. Yet Williams were omni present, where others came and went. Patrick Head is also a big part of the story for Williams. others also active in this period were Dr Harvey Postlethwaite and John Bernard, also great losses

 

In recent years money matters more than ever, to the extent that only some teams (or just one) matter. Williams did well to span this era, with a high degree of success.

 

Yet another reason why I no longer have any interest in F1 (only Red Bull vaguely interests me)