Founder and ‘inspirational figurehead’ of Williams Racing, F1 legend Sir Frank Williams dead at 79
F1 legend Sir Frank Williams dead at 79: Founder and ‘inspirational figurehead’ of Williams Racing passes away surrounded by family after ‘battling every day to win on and off the track’ following 1986 car crash
Formula One legend Sir Frank Williams has died in hospital at the age of 79 surrounded by his family Williams Racing won the Formula One drivers’ title 7 times and constructors’ championship on 9 occasions‘He was more than a boss, he was a mentor and a friend to everybody who joined the Williams Racing family’
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Sir Frank Williams, founder and former team principal of Williams Racing, has died at the age of 79.
The team won the Formula One drivers’ title seven times and the constructors’ championship on nine occasions under Williams’ stewardship.
Their first win came in 1979 when Clay Regazzoni drove to victory at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Their first first Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships both came the following year.
A road car accident near the Paul Ricard circuit in March 1986 left Sir Frank with a spinal cord injury and wheelchair-bound. Despite this, he continued to lead Williams Racing to greatness and was knighted in 1999.
Williams Racing stated today: ‘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.
‘After being admitted into hospital on Friday, Sir Frank passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by his family.’
The team statement continued: ‘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.
Sir Frank Williams at his Formula One factory in Didcot, Oxfordshire, in the 1970s
Sir Frank Williams pictured in 1986 – the year of his accident, alongside Nelson Piquet
Lewis Hamilton with Sir Frank at the Grand Prix of the United States, Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2007
Sir Frank Williams and his daughter, deputy team principal Claire Williams talk in the Williams garage during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain
Sir Frank Williams with his wife Virginia, who died in 2013, and their son Jamie
‘For those wishing to pay tribute, we ask that donations are made in place of gifts to the Spinal Injuries Association, alternatively we would welcome flowers to be placed at the entrance of the team’s headquarters in Grove, Oxfordshire.
‘Details of the memorial service will follow in due course.’
Williams driver George Russell, 23, paid his own tribute on Twitter.
He wrote: ‘Today, we say goodbye to the man who defined our team. Sir Frank was such a genuinely wonderful human being and I’ll always remember the laughs we shared.
‘He was more than a boss, he was a mentor and a friend to everybody who joined the Williams Racing family and so many others.’
Formula One stated: ‘We are filled with the most immense and deep sadness at the passing of Sir Frank Williams
‘His was a life driven by passion for motorsport; his legacy is immeasurable, and will be forever part of F1 To know him was an inspiration and privilege He will be deeply, deeply missed.’
McLaren team boss Ron Dennis and BMW-Williams team boss Frank Williams talk during the first free practice of the United States Formula One Grand Prix in 2004
Formula One motor racing boss Frank Williams at his Didcot factory
Sir Frank Williams talks with a technician after the free practice session of the Formula One Grand Prix of Europe at the Nuerburgring circuit, Germany, in 2003
Sir Frank Williams with Michael Schumacher during the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at Interlagos in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2002
Bernie Ecclestone and Sir Frank Williams pictured together in 1995
Pastor Maldonado celebrates his win at the Spanish Grand Prix with his team and boss Sir Frank Williams on the latter’s 70th birthday in 2013
Sir Frank started his working life as a mechanic and racing car driver, establishing a team in Formula Two and Formula Three before making the leap to Forumla One in 1969.
He set up Williams Racing in Grove, Oxfordshire, in 1977, where it remains based today.
Working with Patrick Head, they scored a victory in F1 in 1979 when Clay Regazzoni won the British GP at Silverstone.
During the next season, Williams achieved a double victory and clinched the constructors and drivers’ championship titles.
The team was hit by tragedy when the star racer Ayrton Senna crashed at the 1994 San Mario GP. Sadly he later died in hospital.
Sir Frank suffered a car accident himself driving in France in 1986 which resulted in a spine cord injury, leaving him wheelchair-bound.
His wife Virginia died of cancer in 2013 and he is survived by their daughter and two sons.
Three-time Formula One World Champion Alain Prost (L) talks to Renault-Williams team boss Frank Williams
Sir Frank Williams smiles during the first official practice session of the Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone race track, 1997
The moment Formula One racer Ayrton Senna crashed into a wall during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, in 1994. Senna later died in hospital
Sir Frank Williams looks on in the pits during the first practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona, 2013
F1 chief Stefano Domenicali stated: ‘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.
‘His incredible achievements and personality will be with etched on our sport forever. My thoughts are with all the Williams family and their friends at this sad time.’
