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Claire Williams reveals extent of the problem: 'Didn't really pay drivers'
Claire Williams has described a difficult period at Williams where she was forced to sell seats. The former Williams boss explains when money became an issue and explains how she tried to do the right thing where possible. She spoke about this on the Business of Sport podcast.
Williams is one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history. Only Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari have won more Formula 1 races than the Grove-based team. This success continued when the 2014 rules and regulations were introduced, as they felt the benefit of the Mercedes engine. In 2014, under the helm of Claire Williams, the team achieved nine podiums and a third-place finish in the Constructors' Championship with 320 points scored.
In those more successful years (2014,2015 and 2016), Williams had Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa driving for them. That success slowly ebbed away, and in 2018, the team finished last in the championship and only scored one point between 2019 and 2020.
Williams 'sold' seats
In 2017, Bottas had to move to Mercedes to replace the suddenly retired Nico Rosberg. Massa also retired from the sport. Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin replaced the two outgoing drivers, and Claire Williams expressed how this was required.
"In my earlier time, I had budget to pay drivers. I had Massa and Bottas, and the expectation was you would pay them. In my latter time, we weren't really paying our drivers and that doesn't feel good. You can pay them small amounts because that's the right thing to do to give them some money but it was really difficult," said the now 48-year-old.
"Quite a few teams up and down the grid weren't paying their drivers a huge amount in 17, 18, 19 period of Formula One. I mean less than a million, like way less, like 100, 150k. And that was cobbled together because one of the assets as well that you have to sell in Formula One when things aren't going so well is a race seat. And unfortunately, that's what I ended up having to do. I had to sell race seats. Bring in a pay driver."
Takeover
In August 2020, it was announced that investment firm Dorilton Capital had acquired the team. Shortly afterwards, Claire Williams announced her departure from the British team. James Vowles is now in charge of the team, and they are moving forward again. Next year, two experienced drivers will race for Williams. Alex Albon, who used to race for Red Bull, will remain at the team. Carlos Sainz, who has recently won races with Ferrari, will arrive.
This article has been created in collaboration with Corwin Kunst
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