Back in September, the F1 world was sent into a shock when Claire Williams announced that the iconic family was leaving the sport after 43 years. The Williams team, started by Sir Frank Williams back in 1977, was sold to Dorilton Capital.

Claire gave up the reigns of her team after the Italian Grand Prix that month. The Grove-based outfit had run into severe financial problems. Even their performances on the track had degraded to the extent that they had become F1’s new backmarkers.

The decision to leave the sport was possibly the right one, especially after the online abuse she was getting. However, it would have taken a lot of courage to take that call. After all, it meant that she would have to sever her ties with a team that she and her family had put their blood, sweat and tears into.

To this day, that fact leaves Claire unable to watch F1 and enjoy it.

She said, “I haven’t watched any of it, I do find it really painful. I’m so happy that the new owners want to keep the name. But I find it really difficult, it’s too heart wrenching to put it on.”

Also Read: Claire Williams Exposes Biggest Flaw in Fans Blaming Her for Team’s Poor F1 Form

Claire Williams believes her strong relationship with the team members makes it difficult to watch the sport

The Former Williams deputy team boss explained, “It’s kind of weird, they are all your people you hung out with for many years and now you don’t get to see them at all.

“So, there is a bit of a grieving process because those are the people I spent my life with and I don’t get to see them anymore. I don’t want to see them on the TV.”

Nevertheless, she did wish the team all the best for the future and believes that they can get back to where they once were, a title winning team.

However, in the near future, that’s not really a possibility. Heading into the new season, the Grove-based outfit are still one of the worst on the grid at the moment.

But not everything is as bad as it seems. They do have the mercurial talent of George Russell driving for them. Last year, the Briton kept doing the unthinkable by getting the team in Q2 more often than not. This time around he’d want to to get the team some much needed points.

Will they finally end their points drought in 2021? Only time will tell.