10. Sir Frank Williams

Age 73
Occupation Founder, Williams F1
Nationality English
Position last year 11 

The Williams team has suffered in recent years with poor financial performances, which have mirrored its on-track achievements, but, despite this, Williams’ attitude is one of perseverance and endurance. Characterised by a tenacious desire to compete, Sir Frank Williams is the epitome of Formula 1 racing. Stepped down from the board in 2012 but remained as Team Principal, working together with his daughter Claire, the Deputy Team Principal.

The team’s first win came in 1979 when Clay Regazzoni drove the Cosworth powered Williams FW07 to victory at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Their first Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships both came in 1980 with Australian Alan Jones winning the drivers’ championship and the team winning the constructors title by 54 points. Between 1981 and 1997, the team won six more drivers’ championships and eight more constructors’ championships.

In 2014, Williams was recovering from one of the worst seasons in its history, having just hired Felipe Massa, a driver many believed was well past his prime. Not anymore, Williams is once again a top team and most of Massa’s mojo is back too. 2015 looks very promising as the team is in the third place so far and Massa is 5th with Bottas being 6th in the drivers’ standings.

 




There are no comments

Add yours