Frank Williams announces daughter as deputy

The daughter of Williams founder Frank Williams has been promoted in the latest sign the team wants to keep the Formula One outfit in the family.

Claire Williams was announced as the deputy team principal on Wednesday. She has served in several positions with the team, most recently director of marketing and communications.

The announcement was planned to be made before the season, but was delayed after the death of her mother Virginia Williams this month.

The British-based team said Claire Williams will work alongside her team principal father. She will continue as commercial director and be part of the company’s board of directors.

Frank Williams said the promotion had his wife’s blessing and that she ‘would have been incredibly proud to have seen Claire taking on this position by my side.’

“Over the past decade, Claire has worked tirelessly for Williams,” he said.

“Her knowledge of the sport and passion for the team is unquestionable and I’m proud to say that during her time here she has proven herself to be one of our most valuable assets. With Claire being appointed deputy team principal, I know the future of Williams is in extremely safe hands.”

Claire said it has been a sad month for the family but she was looking forward to working closer with her father.

“I have grown up in the sport and have learnt the ropes from one of Formula One’s legendary team principals, and as a result I feel well equipped for this new challenge,” she said.

Williams has struggled in the first two races and is ninth out of the 11 teams in the constructors’ championship. Drivers Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas have yet to score a point.

Maldonado complained that he has had a hard time keeping the car on the track – crashing out in the Australian and Malaysian Grand Prix.