In a candid interview with The Sun newspaper, Claire Williams, the former boss of the Williams Formula 1 team and daughter of co-founder Sir Frank Williams, has opened up about her thoughts on the team’s latest changes and her personal journey since leaving her role in late 2020.
Reflecting on the team’s current state, Williams expressed her satisfaction that the Williams name still holds a place in Formula 1.
Speaking positively about the team’s recent hire, James Vowles, Williams said, “With James (Vowles) now being there, it looks like the team is moving in the right direction.
“When they told me it was James I was like ‘My goodness, just genius.’
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“I genuinely believe my dad would have been really happy with that decision as well.”
However, despite these positive developments, Williams admitted that she hasn’t watched a Formula 1 race since leaving her position. “I don’t watch it anymore,” she confirmed, emphasising that it was a conscious decision.
“Leaving my team has left an enormous gap.
“We were reluctant sellers… It’s still quite painful and difficult seeing someone else run the team that was once in our family and life.”
Nonetheless, Williams acknowledged that she is slowly recovering from the emotional toll and plans to start watching Formula 1 again.
“Life took us down that road where we were forced to sell,” she explained.
“I’m getting to that point now where I’m going to start watching again.”
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Williams also expressed her pride and happiness for former Williams driver George Russell, who now finds himself as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes.
Reflecting on the decision to keep Russell at Williams, she said, “I’m really proud of George and so happy for him because we did hold him back at Williams and kept him to his contract.
“My dad taught me that when you go through a struggle, the success when you finally get it is all the more rewarding.”