GROVE, United Kingdom – Following the sale of the Williams Racing Formula One team to Dorilton Capital, it has been announced that Williams Racing’s Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams will depart the team following Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.
As a result, the Williams family will end its association with the team that bares its name after more than 40 years. The team was founded by Sir Frank Williams, Claire Williams’ father, in 1977.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am stepping away from my role with the team,” said Claire Williams. “I had hoped to continue my tenure long into the future and to preserve the Williams family’s legacy into the next generation. However, our need to find inward investment earlier this year due to a number of factors, many of which were outside of our control, resulted in the sale of the team to Dorilton Capital. My family has always put our racing team and our people first and this was absolutely the right decision. I know in them we have found the right people to take Williams back to the front of the grid while also preserving the Williams legacy.”
Claire Williams officially joined Williams Racing in 2002 as an employee in the team’s communication office. She later was named to the team’s Board as the Commercial and Marketing Director before being named Deputy Team Principal in 2013, at which time she took over day-to-day operations of the team.
Claire Williams’ final act as Deputy Team Principal was to sign the new Concorde Agreement.
“I have taken the decision to step away from the team in order to allow Dorilton a fresh start as the new owners,” Claire Williams said. “It has not been an easy decision but it’s one I believe to be right for all involved. I have been enormously privileged to have grown up in this team and in the wonderful world that is Formula One. I have loved every minute and will be forever grateful for the opportunities it has given me. But it’s also an incredibly challenging sport and I now want to see what else the world holds for me. Most importantly, I want to spend time with my family.
“I would like to thank Dorilton for their support and for understanding my decision. I would also like to thank our fans who have stuck by us through thick and thin. Our people at Williams have always been family, they have kept me motivated during the difficult times and it is them who I will miss the most. It is my genuine hope that the process we’ve gone through brings them the success they deserve. And finally, I would like to thank my Dad for everything he has given to the team, the sport and our family.”