Claire Williams given special parting gift

Jamie Woodhouse
Claire Williams

Claire Williams

Claire Williams was gifted the front nose and wing assembly from the Williams FW36 after her final race as deputy team principal.

Claire Williams took over as deputy team principal of her father Sir Frank’s Formula 1 team in 2013, but in the lead up to the 2020 Italian Grand Prix she announced that both her and Sir Frank would leave the team following the event.

The team was recently sold to Dorilton Capital and Claire Williams made it clear that it was the family’s decision to withdraw from the team as they felt they wouldn’t have the “energy” to operate it for someone else.

Sadly George Russell and Nicholas Latifi couldn’t quite make it into the points at the barmy Italian Grand Prix, a race which certainly waved the Williams family off in style, but she was given a gift from one of her cars which certainly made up for that.

At the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Williams scored a double podium finish with Felipe Massa finishing P2 ahead of Valtteri Bottas in P3.

Claire Williams views that result as one of the highlights of her tenure, and now she will have a physical gift to remember it by.

Get your hands on the official Williams 2020 collection via the Formula 1 store

“I think if I’m looking at the racetrack, for me, personally, taking that finish in Abu Dhabi in 2014 I will forever cherish,” she is quoted by the Formula 1 website.

“Today the team gave me a present, and it was the nose and front wing assembly from that [FW36] car.

“Our time in that sport has been so magical. For me [it’s] the people I will miss. We’ve always had great relationships up and down the paddock but the people in this team have been what has inspired us in this sport. they’ve been fantastic and it’s those guys we’ll miss the most, that we’ll get the most memories from.”

Sir Frank Williams founded the team in 1977 alongside Patrick Head, and whilst this is the end of an era, the Williams team will continue in Formula 1 under this famous identity.

And with nine Constructors’ Championships, seven Drivers’ Championships, 114 wins, 128 pole positions and 243 podiums to the team’s name, Claire Williams quite rightly is proud of the legacy Sir Frank leaves behind.

“I think my dad leaves, with Patrick, an incredible legacy in Formula 1,” she said.

“And that’s something we will always remember and always be proud of.”

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