Williams has announced that Sir Frank Williams, the founder and team principal, has decided to step down from the board of directors of the company. His daughter Claire will take his place, becoming director of marketing and communications, replacing Dominic Reilly, who is leaving the company.
“It is no secret that Claire is my daughter but I am proud to say that she has fought hard to earn this appointment and of all the battles she has had to fight, the prejudices of her father were not the least challenging,” Sir Frank said. “Dominic Reilly has proven a unique talent in the field of sports marketing and filling the gap he leaves was daunting. But I have come to the view that Claire, with her profound love and knowledge of the sport and the team, can do so and I am proud and delighted that the Board has given her this opportunity. I am equally delighted that Dominic will remain close to the team with his new venture and that we can thank him for his contribution to Williams by supporting him now.
“This is an opportune moment, also, for me to consider my own role in the team. I turn 70 in April and I have decided to signal the next stage in the gradual but inevitable process of handing over the reins to the next generation by stepping down from the board at the end of this month. This is not as dramatic a move as it may appear: I shall continue to work full-time as Team Principal and I shall continue to attend all board meetings as an observer. I also remain the majority shareholder of Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC. Nonetheless, I shall be looking to Claire to represent the Williams family on the board and I know that she will work tirelessly alongside Adam [Parr] to make the Group and the team just as successful as we can be.”
Maybe it’s just me but I find it a little sad that this news comes just before a new season and not just after the end of one, but perhaps it is better that way.
Would Sir Frank be a good replacement for Bernie when he steps down?
I hope and pray it is not health related. But damn it is time he took it a bit easier. The man is a hero for perserverance against all odds. Whatever he does in the future, I hope he enjoys it and Williams (Team) goes through a well deserved bounce back to form so he finishes his professional life on a high! He doesn’t want to be Bernie, he wants to win races! I hope he gets to enjoy a few more wins.
It is not related to his health. He us getting older, but he is in good nick for someone in his position
Healthwise, Sir Frank definitely appears to be well off. He’s avoided most of the wheelchair-related issues that can arise after long-term usage.
My grandmother was in a wheelchair for a similar period of time as Sir Frank has had, though in her case due to MS, and without due care and effort, many complications can occur purely from sitting in a wheelchair all day, every day.
No, Joe Saward would the best choice for that.
(While Frank may be worthy of the position, he has some years on him as well.)
I wouldn’t think that he is looking to jump from the frying pan into the fire, so to speak. Sounds like he wants a bit more peace in his life.
Of all the major principals, I cannot think of anyone who strikes me as fitting the mold for that role less than Frank. This has nothing to do with ability or intelligence, but personality. Of course, I cannot speak with the authority of someone who has met him (e.g. this site’s namesake), but Frank doesn’t strike me as the type of person who likes do the kind of schmoozing Bernie does. Also, as we have already seen from his declining GP attendance, Frank does not really have the physical capacity for intense travel anymore. A requirement for Bernie’s position. We have seen how staid and somewhat stuffy the Williams’ image has become. No, I don’t think a wise elder/techno task master like Frank fits the image of F1 commercial promoter.
It was not a good idea.
health related?
Lets hope they have a new beginning this year. If anyone deserves it Sir Frank does. H
Why would someone use this kind of language….
“It is no secret that Claire is my daughter…”
Is Frank too hard to show some love and respect?
Because FW believes in meritocracy and thus having Claire promoted is a sign of great respect. It is not all like someone promoting “the idiot son” because they feel they have to, as we have seen in other teams over the tears. No, I’m not naming names
Though of course one immediately starts roll-calling the family run teams….let’s see…Tyrrell, Stewart, perhaps a few more…
Benetton?
Because if he doesn’t he’d get accused of nepotism.
I really don’t see how you extracted a lack of respect and care for his daughter from that press release.
Have to wonder if this is Sir Frank Williams making it known he is willing to sell up (to VW?) and cede control – something he wasn’t willing to do with BMW 10 years ago.
Also how does Toto Wolff factor in to the situation, surely he is more of a logical successor with Williams in it’s current guise than Parr. Is he still looking to get further involved in the team?
It’s not the same company he started. F1 has changed so much since his and his team’s glory days, when it was ALL about motor racing, i.e. the pre-business/marketing industry it is today. Above all, Frank’s a RACER, and can be proud of what he’s achieved, where many would have quit. I’d be surprised if he ever lets go… completely.
Hmm. Only days after that “Alan Parr is the natural successor”-quote. Turned my stomach a bit.
From what I’ve read and understood, Adam Parr is a marketer, lawyer, and barrister, not a racer, so how does that step into the shoes of Sir Frank, the racer ? : /
Just curious
Frank is almost 70, he has outlived even the wildest expectations for someone with his condition, why should he sit through long boring board meetings when he can get the low-down from his daughter who might as well take the reigns now.
Good move, Frank will only be with us for so long and he still owns 51% of the group.
It is sad that both Patrick and Frank have all but left the great company they created but I guess it’s time for the next generation to take over. Oh how it would have been so different if Adrian Newey had become a shareholder of the team back in the 1990′s……
I spoke to FW yesterday and he says that really nothing much has changed. It is probably more significant that Dominic Reilly is leaving. The key point now is to see how well the new management moves the team (rather than the company) forwards.
It’s a sad day when the last of the old guard steps down.
I never thought he would be the last to go, after his accident in ’86.
It is sad news, however Sir Frank William’s is 70, and not in perfect health..He has given F1 a huge part of of his life, and I am very very grateful for that..Thank you Sir Frank !
In answer to “Steve C” No he would not be the right candidate for that role.
Adam Parr, time will tell, I wish them the very best….
I know this is cut n’paste journalism because you are on holiday but surely this merits comment?
The man is a giant in F1. More respect please. Really. I am disappoihted.
I spoke to FW on the phone. He says it is not going to make much difference. I have written that in a comment. Therefore I do not believe it is necessary. Check it out and then I will go back to my break and you can feel better.
Its inevitable that sometime frank will have to let some of the reins go and let the younger generation take some control, while frank can concerntrate on the challenges of the daily f1 inhand and smooth operation of the team/ engineering dept.
I really don’t see Frank Williams embracing retirement. For many people, including me, F1 won’t be the same without him. Even though he has stepped back in recent years, he still defines his team along with Patrick Head. What they achieved from a standing start is impressive.
Of all of the teams on the grid, I suspect Williams has the most ‘fans’ supporting the team rather than any individual driver. I hope to see them win again at some point, as they are right up there with Ferrari, and McLaren as cornerstones of the sport.
Maybe he can swing some sponsorship from Saga or The People’s Friend now?
He is not retiring. He is still the bleeping team principal. He has the power to do as much, little or even more if he so pleases.
Maybe I missed it but did you do any kind of an analysis piece on the changing of the guard at Williams? (I know it’s just the Board role for now) There is an interesting story here (after your break at at some point in the season) trying to figure out how this formally glorious team with some of the smartest / experienced people in the sport have managed to slide to the depths of last season. My bet they should have never parted with BMW, this goes beyond the loss of Newey, Sir Frank & Patrick made a series of bad decisions and somehow continue to miss the boat although as the results wane the sponsors dry up and its a slippery slope. If there is one team within a racing pedigree to buy into and restore this is it!!!!! Hello serious outside investors.
Enjoy your pre-season break, having honeymooned in the French countryside my recommendation as you are out visiting is to slide into some of the roadside “wine caves” and pick up some fine wines at ridiculous prices, watch out for germans filling there motorhomes with “two wheelers” loaded with cases!
Heres a thought – Make Adrian Newey a “share” offer to return, let him challenge himself one last time before retirement to resurrect the team and add to his fortune through share appreciation and team ownership. Not a bad way to exit Adrian who was supposedly bored with F1 a decade ago. That would be a cool story.
You have been reading The Mole…
Always difficult to let go something you’ve created, and Frank has many happy memories of the success years when everything went right for Williams.
Probably as well to reduce his corporate involvement now, as it must take up a lot of his time and reducing energy.
Joe – What does the “director of marketing and communications” at Williams actually do these days? Any idea what Dominic is going to do?
Try and find some sponsors who want a modern thrusting image so will sponsor F1, but also seek retro appeal so will sponsor Williams. Tricky, isn’t it…?
You must remember Williams grands prix team/ Williams grandsprix engineering has the wow factor with their history…
One of the hardest things to do is to retire from something that you love. But for the new generation taking over the hardest thing will be to have the former Boss saying he is stepping aside but remaining both as an ‘observer’ in the Board meetings and as Team Principal. Trying to take the team forward with Sir Frank’s formidable presence still in place will not be easy. Maybe particularly for his daughter. Gradual handovers are sometimes not handovers at all and become a phase of uncertainty.
Am I being unfair? Should Sir Frank hand over, retire and move on to something new? Whatever, I wish them and Sir Frank well.
how will this affect williams ability to source sponsorship… times are already hard.