Frank Williams is being treated for a "pressure sore" at Stoke Mandeville Hospital it has been revealed.

The news came to light when deputy team principal Claire Williams missed today's official press conference in Austin, thus incurring the wrath of the stewards, having opted to remain in Britain with her father.

"He is likely to be there for at least a couple of weeks," said a spokesperson for the Grove outfit. "She wanted to stay there to make sure he's responding well, which he is."

Sir Frank entered F1 in 1969, running a Brabham for brewing heir, and good friend, Piers Courage. While Courage was killed at Zandvoort in 1970, Williams continued to run a succession of drivers and chassis until 1977 when the first eponymous car appeared.

Since then the British outfit has won 9 constructors' titles whilst its drivers have won 7 drivers' titles, the most recent being 1997 with Jacques Villeneuve.

In early 1986, Williams was injured in a car accident whilst returning form F1 testing at Paul Ricard, the Briton sustaining a spinal cord injury and becoming tetraplegic.

After a couple of pretty dreadful seasons, the Grove outfit is currently third in the Constructors' Championship, it best result since 2003 when it finished runner-up to Ferrari.

Pitpass, on behalf of its readers, wishes Sir Frank a full and speedy recovery.