Monaco marked the 600th Grand Prix for Frank Williams as an entrant. While 2008 is the 30th anniversary of the current Williams F-1 team, the first F-1 race Frank Williams entered a car for was the 1969 Spanish Grand Prix. His friend Piers Courage drove a Brabham BT26 that retired with engine woes. Two weeks later, they finished second in Monaco.
“As most people would expect,” Sir Frank said, “reaching 600 Grands Prix means very little to me! I do have to admit, however, that there have been some brilliant moments over the 40 years that I’ve been racing, and there have also been some moments of great sadness. Most of the time it has been a most pleasurable experience. If I was 40 years younger, I would still choose the same path towards where I find myself today.”
Here’s what some of Williams’ former drivers had to say about Frank and the team.
Mark Webber: “There are a lot of people in this paddock who could learn a lot from Frank. He’s a racer, with a lot of tenacity and determination. I have a lot of respect for what he’s achieved.”
Keke Rosberg: “His situation is unique because he really is the last team principal in the pit lane that goes motor racing for its true essence, and that’s to race.”
Nelson Piquet: “I’ve sometimes wondered whether, if Frank hadn’t had his accident, maybe I could have stayed with Williams longer. If I had, we probably would have won a number of championships together.”
Alain Prost: “I have a lot of admiration and respect for Frank, both for his incredible career and his rich personality. I have rarely seen someone so passionate and dedicated to his sport.”
Damon Hill: “I see Frank as a kind of monarch. Williams is his army; Patrick [Head] is his general and he fights the fire-breathing Ferrari dragon for England. I suppose that would make me one of his knights!”
Alan Jones: “His resilience to the sport, and his energy and enthusiasm for it, have never ceased to amaze me. Most people would have run out of steam! I look upon Williams as family. I grew up with them and I’d like to think we all grew together. Frank and Patrick are unbelievably professional. They would walk over broken glass and hot coals to go racing and I wish them well as they fight to set more records.”