Frank Williams (1942-2021)

[erwin greven]

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE WILLIAMS FAMILY

28 November 2021

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.

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.

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.

[Mawerick]

Unfortunate but not completely unexpected. Sir Frank will always be remembered for his major contributions to F1.

[PTRACER]

RIP Sir Frank :(((

Absolute legend of the sport.

[DoubleFart]

For many people around my age, Sir Frank was the centre of F1.

His cars were dominating, the storylines revolved around the actions of his team (Mansell/Prost/Senna/Hill/Villeneuve).

The cars were beautifully designed with the canon/camel/Rothmans livery complementing slick, simplistic designs without a million aero appendages.

Frank's determination to stay involved with the team eventually became detrimental in my opinion, however I truly respect how much he fought - he was from memory one of the longest surviving quadraplegics, which is a true demonstration of character.

We'll not see his like again. Rest in Peace Sir Frank.

[Star]

It is very sad news and for his family and friends it's devastating. RIP Sir Frank. He did so well to carry on with his disabilities for so long, he was truly inspirational.

[White six]

Rip Frank

Will remember fondly his let them race principles, although it cost him at least one wdc, maybe more

Let's hope toto takes a leaf out of that book next season

[Everso Biggyballies]

The longest-serving Team Principal Formula 1 has ever seen.... 50 years plus he was the figurehead of an F1 team of his own name. Frank Williams Racing I think started entering cars in 1969, and then Williams Grand Prix Engineering he set up with PH and was Principal of until 2020 when Dorilton bought them out. There was just the Wolff hiccup for a year or so in that time..

Sir Frank Williams’ cars won seven drivers’ titles and nine constructors’ championships. More constructors titles than Mercedes McLaren Lotus, all bar Ferrari. Only Ferrari and McLaren have more Drivers titles won in their cars.

Pleased to have been at Silverstone the day the team won their first GP back when Clay Regazzoni won the 1979 British GP. I have always had a soft spot for the team when it was in the Williams family hands.

An inspirational figurehead. His legacy immeasurable.

RIP Sir Frank.

[XcraigX]

Rest in Peace Sir Frank.

[Everso Biggyballies]

His cars were dominating, the storylines revolved around the actions of his team (Mansell/Prost/Senna/Hill/Villeneuve).

Dont forget Jones Rosberg and Piquet

[erwin greven]

Tributes have been paid by the motorsport world to “a true giant” in Sir Frank Williams, following his death at the age of 79.

Sir Frank spent more than 50 years as a Formula 1 team principal — across two teams — and was a co-founder of the Williams team that is second only to Ferrari in terms of constructors’ championships and fourth in overall victories. Sir Frank only sold the team last year but after news of his passing on Sunday morning, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says he will forever be a part of the sport.

https://racer.com/2021/11/28/f1-pays-tr ... -williams/
A lot of tweets below this article.

[White six]

His cars were dominating, the storylines revolved around the actions of his team (Mansell/Prost/Senna/Hill/Villeneuve).

Dont forget Jones Rosberg and Piquet

I think farts was just pretending to be a youngster

[DoubleFart]

His cars were dominating, the storylines revolved around the actions of his team (Mansell/Prost/Senna/Hill/Villeneuve).

Dont forget Jones Rosberg and Piquet

They'd all retired by the time I started watching F1!

[erwin greven]

I saw Jones winning his first title...

[MonteCristo]

Balls. But he was honestly lucky to make it as long as he did.

I wonder if the sale of the team was caused by a decline, or if it helped to accelerate his decline.

In any case, as somebody the same vintage as @DoubleFart, Williams was the bomb when I was growing up. It was terribly sad seeing their decline (though entirely understandable given the huuuuuge money that had come into the sport. Really no different than what's happened in football where money buys success).

RIP Frank.

[Everso Biggyballies]

I saw Jones winning his first title...

Gulp..... I remember being at the British GP in 1975 and him driving a Hill.