Sir Frank Williams RIP
Discussion
One of those rare moments when someone who you don't know but 'have known' for many years passes and it makes a mark. His drive, determination, stubbornness and of course knowledge (of his craft) and ability are attributes many of us do not process.
RIP Sir Frank Williams and my thought are with his family and friends.
RIP Sir Frank Williams and my thought are with his family and friends.
105.4 said:
Eric Mc said:
Very sad news. Frank was a tough and resilient character who fought against so many trials and tribulations to make Williams successful.
A fitting tribute there Eric.For me, FW is right up there with the likes of Collin Chapman and Ken Tyrell.
A truly extraordinary, resilient, tough and bloody minded legend who has achieved more than most of us will achieve given ten lifetimes.
My most sincere condolences to the Williams family.
This has brought a tear to my eye, he was my inspiration to watch F1, and one of my brothers who idolised both Frank and Patrick.
20 odd years ago my brother got a job there, and is now one of the top technical designers.
Imagine his joy when he is sat in a room , with Frank and Patrick, and others, and being asked his advice.
He has always spoke so highly of Frank and Patrick and has shared with me stories from the office, like when Montoya went up behind Frank and jiggled his wheelchair to make him jump, typical Montoya style, and was then told that people didn't do that to Frank, Juan didn't care.
And trying to persuade Montoya that Eua Rouge was taken in 4th when he insisted he could do it in 5th. He crashed heavily taking all 4 wheels off, and then walked calmly back past the team and said " yeah you cant take that in 5th".
Ive heard many stories about the straight talking Patrick, and how personable Frank was to everyone.
I know my brother will be in bits tonight, hes spent many a Saturday at the factory, chatting with Frank about non work stuff and generally having a laugh with him.
Now this man is a Legend, RIP Sir Frank.
20 odd years ago my brother got a job there, and is now one of the top technical designers.
Imagine his joy when he is sat in a room , with Frank and Patrick, and others, and being asked his advice.
He has always spoke so highly of Frank and Patrick and has shared with me stories from the office, like when Montoya went up behind Frank and jiggled his wheelchair to make him jump, typical Montoya style, and was then told that people didn't do that to Frank, Juan didn't care.
And trying to persuade Montoya that Eua Rouge was taken in 4th when he insisted he could do it in 5th. He crashed heavily taking all 4 wheels off, and then walked calmly back past the team and said " yeah you cant take that in 5th".
Ive heard many stories about the straight talking Patrick, and how personable Frank was to everyone.
I know my brother will be in bits tonight, hes spent many a Saturday at the factory, chatting with Frank about non work stuff and generally having a laugh with him.
Now this man is a Legend, RIP Sir Frank.
When I saw the news pop up I had a genuine tear in my eye. Watching Sir Frank achieve what he did is what created my interest in motorsport - that in turn has led to so many amazing and special experiences for me. I met him once, they say you should never meet your hero, in this case that advice was wrong, a smiling, inquisitive man who has now been reunited with his beloved wife. RIP Sir Frank.
One of the greats of F1.
I received a number of texts from friends who, like me, were unsurprised by the news but were upset by it. A stalwart of my time in F1, from its first venture into F1, through the great days of the 80s and 90s. He and Patrick Head made the team into a world beater. Nine WCCs and seven WDCs.
I don't know what to say about him that wouldn't sound lame. He ran a great team. He achieved greatness. The last of his line.
I'm sorry for those who were close to him.
I received a number of texts from friends who, like me, were unsurprised by the news but were upset by it. A stalwart of my time in F1, from its first venture into F1, through the great days of the 80s and 90s. He and Patrick Head made the team into a world beater. Nine WCCs and seven WDCs.
I don't know what to say about him that wouldn't sound lame. He ran a great team. He achieved greatness. The last of his line.
I'm sorry for those who were close to him.
Panamax said:
35 years in a wheel chair after a younger life of such vigour. A salutary lesson about the risks of driving too fast.
Some great achievements along the way.
RIP
There's a time and place for such comments. This is neither.Some great achievements along the way.
RIP
LaurasOtherHalf said:
A colossus of our sport. Rest deserved at last.
This however is perfectly put. Farewell. Motor racing was a big part of my life in my tweens and twenties and in F1 it was Williams for me from the early days of Jonesey and Clay. Nige and Damon were the icing on the cake as Brits in the most British team of them all. So many happy memories of days at Silverstone or Brands cheering them on. Estoril in 96 wasn't perfect as Jacques won with Damon second so I didn't see his WC. Even so many happy memories. I'm a Williams and always wished I was related. RIP Sir Frank and thanks for all the wonderful memories.
He was true to his ideals to the last part of his life too. The recent downward spiral of the team was easily identified as Frank (and Claire) remaining steadfast about being genuine constructors in the traditional sense. It was out of kilter with the direction the sport had taken for teams without a mega budget and easy to point out as a flawed strategy - which it was.
But as I and others on the Williams thread during those times pointed out, it was his business, his team, his baby. He built it, it was his to direct in the way he saw right.
He continued to race his way and despite the short term impact on competitiveness, it leaves his legacy as a stalwart champion of being a constructor and family business in tact. He will never be tarnished by going from a leader in the sport to a guy that was lead by the sport.
And point of fact: even with the recent problems at Williams, the team most certainly left his hands in better shape than when he first took control - because the team didn't exist before then
Frank won.
But as I and others on the Williams thread during those times pointed out, it was his business, his team, his baby. He built it, it was his to direct in the way he saw right.
He continued to race his way and despite the short term impact on competitiveness, it leaves his legacy as a stalwart champion of being a constructor and family business in tact. He will never be tarnished by going from a leader in the sport to a guy that was lead by the sport.
And point of fact: even with the recent problems at Williams, the team most certainly left his hands in better shape than when he first took control - because the team didn't exist before then
Frank won.
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