Claire Williams affirms struggling team's resolve
In the last few months, Formula One team Williams' deputy team principal Claire Williams has endured criticism from all quarters, and even considered stepping down from her role, as her once-illustrious team fell from grace.
With nine constructors' and seven drivers' titles, they are last in the 10-team constructors' championship this season, no thanks to their disastrous FW41 car.
To compound matters, their financial health has been under intense scrutiny ahead of the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, but Williams insisted yesterday that the storied team are here to stay.
While a minder wanted to stop a question on the team's financial health at the sidelines of team sponsor Acronis' 15-year anniversary gala yesterday, Williams interjected and said she "rather answer (the question) and tackle it".
"Williams is a publicly listed company and our accounts are there for everyone to see," said the 42-year-old daughter of team founder Frank Williams.
"There is a lot of speculation out there with regard to Williams' financial health... Williams has had a healthy budget this year to compete with, and will have a healthy budget to compete with next year."
Questions arose in February when Martini said it would end its lucrative sponsorship deal with the UK-based team by year-end.
The rumours continued when Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who has been pumping sponsorship dollars into the team, successfully led a consortium to take over troubled Force India last month.
His son, Lance, who drives for Williams, is expected to leave for Force India before the end of the season.
The money woes will be compounded if they finish bottom of the constructors' standings, as share of revenues is distributed according to a team's placing and other factors.
But a defiant Williams said: "Williams has been in Formula One for more than 40 years, and we will continue to be in F1. This is what we do, and we always have had a healthy budget by which to do it."
She acknowledged that they "made a mistake" with the aero programme for the FW41 car, but added that there were "many other weaknesses" in the team, without elaborating.
But she remained optimistic and said: "This has enabled us to look at everything and maybe we wouldn't have done that if we were fifth in the championship." - LIM SAY HENG
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