The decline really started when she denied BMW a stake in the team and they left. They haven’t had a good engine partner since then, even during the Toyota years.
Soldato
Soldato
Saw this coming but not so soon. I posted the below in the general thread:
There must be some incentive in it for them step aside but this is a huge blow to F1's heritage. You'd have thought there was some petrolhead billionaire out there willing to invest in the legacy and put the team right. Could only every have been a labour of love though sadly.
The team deserve better. I can imagine after the transition they will be sold "cheap" to a brand looking to get into F1.
There must be some incentive in it for them step aside but this is a huge blow to F1's heritage. You'd have thought there was some petrolhead billionaire out there willing to invest in the legacy and put the team right. Could only every have been a labour of love though sadly.
The team deserve better. I can imagine after the transition they will be sold "cheap" to a brand looking to get into F1.
Soldato
Looks like the Williams family were offered the opportunity to stay on (what they are saying to the press) and it was their choice to step away. Probably better than being pushed at the end of the season.
Racefans had an article recently about the sale trying to dig in to find the new owners with some interesting links.
Racefans had an article recently about the sale trying to dig in to find the new owners with some interesting links.
Soldato
That's a neat trick, considering Williams and BMW parted ways at the end of the 2005 season and Claire didn't become deputy team principal until March 2013
I believe she was in team communications and marketing before that.
Soldato
That was Frank and Patrick Head, not Claire.
True, when Frank denied then.That's a neat trick, considering Williams and BMW parted ways at the end of the 2005 season and Claire didn't become deputy team principal until March 2013
Man of Honour
Wasn't there some rumour of a link to Bernie?
Man of Honour
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Looks like it’s heading in a better direction.
Soldato
There was an initial thought it was Bernie due to the BCE name, article probably explains the rumours better: https://www.racefans.net/2020/08/30/who-are-the-mystery-buyers-now-in-charge-at-williams/
Caporegime
Given the complete lack of commitment BMW showed in their involvement with Sauber - despite some impressive results in those years - I'm not convinced that hooking your wagon to BMW's horses was a good idea for anyone. I suspect they'd have bailed on their involvement with Williams too when the Credit Crunch hit. Besides, at that point Williams were still a strong team, who could reasonably expect future success with the independent model they'd employed for the last three decades.
That post aged well
I was just going by what my friend and ex colleague, who still works there, was being told right up until this morning.
Soldato
Soldato
End of an era....
It’s odd that they’d go so soon. When my work place (big American company) buys up companies they always try and incentivise the current leadership to stay rather than take the cash and run. Then again, the companies they buy have mostly been successful... I did read something about it being paddy lowes poor car that has been to blame for their current results.
Soldato
It is quite odd they're not at least seeing the season out. Leaving a bit of a power and experience vacuum at the top unless they're planning on bringing some 'F1 people' in? It's hardly like running a bank or something I'd have thought there would have been a bit of a hand over period.
Caporegime
Assuming it's just the Williams leaving, there's still all other senior people in post, and most of the board intact. It doesn't seem like that would be too destabilising.
Deleted member 651465
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Deleted member 651465
I can see them rebranding in 2022 and getting rid of the Williams name.
Caporegime
The Williams name seems like the team's most valuable asset. It's still the second most successful F1 constructor ever.