Frank, Claire Williams should leave F1 – Schumacher

Jun.3 (GMM) Williams failed to keep up with the pace of modern Formula 1, according to former team driver Ralf Schumacher.

The German, who won six grands prix for the British team until 2004, was asked by Speed Week to comment on news that Williams is currently for sale.

“It looks like neither Frank Williams nor his daughter were able to lead the team in a modern style,” Schumacher said.

Williams finished dead last in 2019 and is now clinging to financial survival, with Schumacher adding: “There are a lot of things wrong with the management style there.

“The path should have been cleared there years ago for young management personnel. I experienced this myself – times have simply changed.

“The Frank Williams system was always about exerting a lot of pressure from above.”

Schumacher, 44, says the Grove-based team can bounce back, “but only if Frank and Claire withdraw completely and a good investor comes on board”.

“I still think it’s a great racing team and with the right partners and money, I would take part immediately,” he said.

However, the most likely buyers are Michael Latifi, whose son Nicholas already drives for Williams, and the Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin.

“Mazepin is in the starting blocks and is wealthier than Latifi and Stroll,” Schumacher said.

“So far he has bought every team for his son, from Formula 3 upwards. I cannot criticise that because I am glad that there are people who love our sport and are willing to invest so much money, even if it’s for their children.”