Obituary - Frank Williams

[René]

Frank Williams has passed away at the age of 79.

Certainly one of the most iconic, well known and successful people in Formula 1 racing’s history and a man of great perseverance.

No less then seven drivers won championships in his cars and even more drivers won races in a Williams Grand Prix car. A race team in the purest sense, a team that every driver wanted to race for.

Now the team is no longer his and we have not seen him at the track for quite a while but he will be sorely missed nevertheless.

Personally I always had a weak spot for Frank’s team. My heart is with Ferrari but when a Williams won it was sort of second best to me, especially after I got his autograph and he got me Reutemann’s at Zolder 1980.

Rest in peace Sir Frank.

[mikael]

I have posted this photo before here (at RRT), but it may be appropriate, hopefully, to do it again in connection with the sad news of Frank Williams's passing.

Frank Willims (No. 24), in his Cooper T71 (originally a Formula 2 car, but converted to Formula 3 specs), racing at Roskilde Ring in Denmark, June 1965. (No. 23 is the Danish driver Lars Lindberg in a Brabham BT6.)

(Photo: Tüchsen/Knudsens Arkiv. Reference: motorsporten.dk)

A reference to the car raced by F.W.:

www.oldracingcars.com/cooper/t71/

[mikael]

A highlight in the racing career of Danish driver Tom Belsø: in the Formula One car of Frank Williams. F. W. is to the right in the photo; car designer John Clarke to the left. The photo is supposedly taken in the early spring of 1974, before the '74-season.

(Source: Danish (tabloid) newspaper B.T. Photo copyright: Grand Prix Photo (Peter Nygaard).)

[chrisb]

if there was an incredible human being it was Frank, from the stories of penniless existence to build with Patrick a world championship winning team that was the envy of all, and they were fun at times too, I always enjoyed the little moments of humour, especially with Renault, the very Englishness of his team was both how we always thought a true gentleman was and how we went about things, the evolution from the FW06 was breathtaking and I always had a soft spot for them, I was there when he won his first GP with the great Clay and managed to speak to Frank afterwards applauding him his victory

Following his dreadful car accident he really showed the world how to overcome such enormous obstacles and of course he had created such a brilliant team around him the team picked itself up until he was back, and I don't know if you have seen the documentary about him and his team but the devastation of his wife's passing was clear and something it was clear he never recovered from 

rest in peace Sir Frank

[robmarsh]

Rest in Peace Sir Frank, a true racer who let nothing keep him from racing.

[Carl]

My favorite Williams driver and car

                                                    

[chrisb]

interesting thought Carl, my favourite? probably Keke in either the 08 or the monster turbo Honda one, or maybe Damon when he won the WDC

[robmarsh]

My favourite Williams was the FW16 in terms of looks but it is tinged with such sadness. Next favourite would be the 1985 FW10 with Keke at the wheel.

[charleselan]

It is amazing what Frank achieved in the sport, he really was one of a kind and i cannot add further to what has been written by others, an absolute legend.

Two favourites of mine are Piers Courage in 1969 driving the Williams Racing Brabham BT26 that was beautifully prepared and apparently Jack Brabham was not impressed that Frank actually got his hands on the car as it was originally sold to a hill climb driver. However Frank repaid him in bucket loads as Piers drove brilliantly in the car and actually beat the works cars on more than one occasion .



Of course the other would be Keke Rosberg in the Williams FW10B towards the end of the 1985 season.

[René]

I’m with Carl on this one, the 1979 FW07 is my favorite. Probably because 1979 is my favorite season but the 07 is also just a beautiful car, even if it’s a bit of a Lotus clone. 



I also like the FW08’s design but will always have mixed feelings about Keke’s title. The 1985 car was indeed a great looking car and so was the 1994 car but always linked to tragedy, like the 1982 Ferrari. 

[mikael]

My favorite Williams must be the FW18 of 1996, mainly because I was fortunate enough to see Damon Hill clinch the World Championship at Suzuka that year. (It was my first year in Japan.) The sound of those V10's impressed me no end. And although the drivers were more "hidden away" (better protected) than by the spectacular low cars of the early '90's, they were still looking really good.

[René]

Nov 30, 2021 19:48:10 GMT mikael said:

My favorite Williams must be the FW18 of 1996, mainly because I was fortunate enough to see Damon Hill clinch the World Championship at Suzuka that year. (It was my first year in Japan.) The sound of those V10's impressed me no end. And although the driver were more "hidden away" (better protected) than by the spectacular low cars of the early '90's, they were still looking really good.

Yes I agree, that was also a good looking car and yes, what a sound!    Great memory Mikael to have witnessed that race.