Openly looking for investors, Williams is open to all hypotheses that can range from taking a shareholding to a total sale of the team. The iconic structure of Grove announced it a few weeks ago, specifying that it was a thoughtful strategy aimed at securing its economic but also sporting future. This is confirmed today by Claire Williams, evoking a decision thoughtfully thought out and motivated by the desire to find a good level of competitiveness in the years to come, and to have only the sole aim of surviving in Formula 1 .
“We started discussing the need for a new investment last year, even before the virus was on the horizon”, specifies the assistant director of the team at Autocar. “We decided that if we ever wanted to get back on track, we needed support beyond what we can get from F1 bonuses or sponsorship. Our primary desire is to find the best outcome for the team. If it means a full sale, that’s fine. If it means selling most of it, then so be it. Or if it means someone wants to come working with us is fantastic. We could probably raise the funds to continue, but that is what we have been doing for far too long. It is time to change. “
Claire Williams says her father Frank’s stable has enough to attract investors in a current situation “completely changed by the new rules” decided at the highest level, with acceleration in the direction of cost reduction. “We have collectively realized that we have to do better to create parity in F1 and reduce costs”, she recalls, also specifying that the status of an independent team would not be an obstacle: “Until now, being independent didn’t make much sense. But we believe, and luckily for the new directors, that having your own design and engineering shouldn’t be a disadvantage.”
Williams recently announced that it has finalized the reorganization of its management team, including in the technical field. The need for resources is now felt elsewhere. “Last year, as part of an initiative to strengthen the team spirit, we held a large series of seminars with 15-20 people for all our staff, more than 700 people”says Claire Williams. “Almost all of the services have reported a need for additional staff. That means about 50 more people, and we would certainly have them if we could.”
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