April 16 – 80th birthday of Frank Williams

Sir Frank Williams would have turned 80 on April 16, but he passed away at the end of November last year and it was a huge loss, not just for Formula 1, but for the entire motorsport world.

On the day of the founder’s 80th birthday, the Williams team quoted him as saying: “Frankly, I’ve always found it a special privilege to work in Formula 1, to be among the race cars, among the racers.. This is just an amazing, beautiful place.”

Sir Frank has been involved in motorsport for at least 55 years, going back to the mid-1960s when he founded Frank Williams Racing Cars. Not all his projects were equally successful, but he always stood out for his determination, iron will and ability to overcome difficulties, even in situations that someone else would consider hopeless.

Most importantly, the team that bears his name is still in Formula 1, although it changed hands a few years ago. Fans hope she will gradually overcome the protracted crisis that likely began nearly 20 years ago, as Williams continued to win fewer races. Much has been said and written about the reasons for this, but no one will ever deny the fact that Frank Williams’ team won the Constructors’ Championship 9 times in the 80s and 90s, and there were periods when they were considered almost invincible. .

What this man did in his time will forever remain in the history of our beloved sport, and even if you’ve never been a Williams fan, you can’t help but recognize the importance of this team’s founder figure to the Formula 1.

Finally, we can quote just a few words that accompanied the Williams team today to the portrait of Sir Frank and posted it on their pages on social networks: “Remembering our founder, Sir Frank Williams, on the day he could have been 80 years old A legend in our sport and his legacy will live on forever.”