It’s a day of mourning as one of the most iconic names in Formula 1 history has passed away. We’re talking about team founder and the longest standing Team Principal in the history of the sport, Frank Williams. Aged 79 years at the time of his death, Williams recently marked 50 years as an F1 boss, running two teams during the time.
However, they had nothing to do with the sport anymore as him and his daughter Claire who ran everything about the team’s day to day operations from 2013, sold the team to investment firm Dorilton Capital, thereby quitting F1. Williams began reducing his workload at Williams Racing in 2012 when he stepped down from the board.
He had suffered a spinal cord injury way back in 1986 which rendered him unable to walk again. Once he stepped down, he retained the Team Principal title while Claire took over as the family representative and was later even appointed as Deputy Team Principal. It was in 2016 when he first spent some time in hospital for pneumonia and was admitted once again in December last year.
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“It is with great sadness that on behalf of the Williams family, the team can confirm the death of Sir Frank Williams CBE, Founder and Former Team Principal of Williams Racing, at the age of 79,” came a statement from the British motor racing company to confirm the death of this man who had attained legendary status in the sport.
“After being admitted into hospital on Friday, Sir Frank, passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by his family. Today we pay tribute to our much loved and inspirational figurehead. Frank will be sorely missed. We request that all friends and colleagues respect the Williams family’s wishes for privacy at this time,” they added.
F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali also shared a word, saying, “This morning Claire Williams called to inform me of the very sad news that her beloved father, Sir Frank Williams, had passed away. He was a true giant of our sport that overcame the most difficult of challenges in life and battled every day to win on and off the track. We have lost a much loved and respected member of the F1 family and he will be hugely missed.”
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