We at the Keke Rosberg Fansite would like to add our heartfelt condolences to the family of Sir Frank Williams CBE, who has sadly died at the age of 79.
A Legend of Formula 1
Sir Frank ytmyybe tyyyyv Williams was Formula 1, he lived, breathed and ate Formula 1. His love for the sport would see him found a team bearing his own name not once but twice, the second of these teams becoming a powerhouse of F1 winning multiple drivers and constructors titles.
Frank would prove to be a pivotal influence on Keke Rosberg's career. After the sudden departure of Alan Jones in 1981, Frank would give Keke the drive for 1982 that would deliver his first F1 win and also the Drivers Championship that same year. Four more wins would come over the following years before Keke left in 1986 just before Frank would have his life changing accident. The incident left Frank as a tetraplegic but his desire to keep managing the team he loved meant he would remain an ever-present figure in the F1 paddock for decades to come.
In 2006 Nico Rosberg would follow in his father's footsteps, making his debut in Formula 1 driving for the Williams F1 Team. Despite the romance of the deal this would coincide with a downturn in the teams fortunes after loosing the BMW partnership in 2005. Nico would however prove to be a strong driver over his four seasons with the team, consistently scoring points and claiming two podium results.
Frank remained the team principal of Williams throughout his ownership, but in recent years due to bad health his daughter Claire had taken over more of the day-to-day operations. Williams F1 was eventually sold to a private company in September 2020 bringing to an end the 43 years of family ownership.
Sir Frank Williams gave everything to the sport he loved and proved what is possible through determination and force of will. Pushing the technological advances in F1 to new levels, winning races and championships over decades, and proving no disability can define who you are or what you can achieve.
We have lost a true great.
RIP Sir Frank Williams CBE.