The departure of the Williams family from the team that Frank founded with Patrick Head marked a new stage in the team in August 2020. Now, after years of crossing the desert, Williams seems to be emerging from the hand of Jost Capito.
When Dorilton Capital made the Williams purchase effective 12 months ago, the founding family left the team, including Frank and Claire Williams. This has led to a progressive restructuring that culminated in the appointment of Jost capito as the new CEO and team leader.
Now, Williams It has a new structure and budget to evolve, something that seems to start to be seen this year, as it is proving more competitive than Alfa Romeo and Haas, rising to eighth position in the constructors’ championship after adding its first points in two years in the Hungarian Grand Prix.
“They have very good people for quite some time, but they needed better leadership”
Patrick Head, who temporarily abandoned his retirement to try to help Williams out of the well after the departure of Paddy Lowe, has reviewed the current situation of the team, considering that they are finally on the right track.
“After being involved with Williams for whatever it was, 35 or 40 years, I have to say that we were not winners in all those years, but in most of them. It’s been a bit sad to see them perform quite weakly in the last 10 years., so I am very happy to see them return ”, says the prestigious British engineer.
«And I think that Jost (Capito) and the people he has brought … have very good people for quite some time, but they needed better leadership and I think they now have it », it states.
Still missing
The great result at the Hungaroring has given Williams wings, but Patrick Head is unimpressed by the result and is aware that there is still a long way to go to get back in the points on a regular basis.
“Obviously, that accident helped them in the first corner, so they’re not there on merit yet,” recalls Head. “They have a little way to go before they get there. But I think that the people are good, the determination is good, I don’t know much about financing, but I understand that it is in place ».
Now Head is back in retirement and does not retain his advisory role to Williams, but remains in contact with Jost Capito, whom he respects quite professionally. “I don’t spend much time following F1, but I am in contact with Jost Capito, whom I have known for some time. I don’t call them or advise them on how to develop the car or things like that, but I’m in touch », concludes.