Yesterday, Williams F1 announced that founder Frank Williams and deputy team principal Claire Williams were stepping away from the team. The news surprised the F1 world and many messages of gratitude and well wishes followed thereafter.
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However, it left people wondering whether new owners Dorilton Capital enforced Claire Williams to walk away, or was it a decision that she took of her own accord? Today, Claire Williams reveals all.
The former deputy boss of Williams F1 clarified that it was a decision that solely she undertook. She said, “It was absolutely my decision and I’d like to make that clear. Dorilton asked me to continue. They asked before the sale was done, they asked after the sale was done. But I think a clean break is probably the best for all.”
Williams said that she always had a measure of her own capabilities and knew when the time was right to leave the team. And this time, according to her, was the time to hang up her boots. She believes that a new dawn must come through a new person.
Claire Williams on why she felt the time was right to leave
Claire gave an insight into her thought process behind her decision. She said, “You put blood, sweat, and tears into something like I have for the time that I have. This is a hard, hard business. I’ve given it my all and I’ve done that because I’ve wanted to protect my family’s legacy in this sport.
“Now that it’s not ours, I don’t feel that I could put the same amount of energy into it. The past few years have been incredibly tough. They have taken an awful lot out of me. If I’m honest, I think Dorilton need somebody that has more energy than I’ve currently got.”
She said that it has been an extremely hard decision to take. But the lockdown, due to the pandemic, has given her the time to reflect and make the decision that she feels is right for her and more importantly for the team.
Claire admits to not having done everything right, but she feels that she can leave with her head held high.
