Though her father founded his team in an era when, other than being able to buy a ready to race car from the likes of March or McLaren, one was able to build one's own, install a Hewland gearbox and Cosworth and go F1 racing, such concepts are a distant memory today.

Now, there are strict rules about the sharing of components, though in the last couple of seasons attitudes have appeared to become more relaxed.

At a time Ferrari shares much of its technology with Haas and Alfa Romeo, and Red Bull is establishing an even closer relationship with its sister team, Toro Rosso, Claire Williams believes the practice is "diluting" the spirit of F1.

Under the current rules, certain parts, referred to as listed, must be designed and manufactured by the teams themselves, whereas non-listed parts can be brought in from other teams. Williams is hoping that the rules overhaul planned for 2021 will address this.

"It's not easy currently with the way the regulations are for truly independent constructors to compete," she said at the unveiling of her team's 2019 livery.

"That was probably one of the reasons we slipped back to P10 last year, based on the work going on between certain teams," she continued.

"However, that falls within the existing regulations," she admitted. "One of the reasons we're so supportive of the work the FIA and FOM are doing at the moment is in order to rebuild the parts list. We're very much advocates of that. We know that will change the landscape of F1 in 2021 and beyond to enable teams like our teams.

"We're incredibly proud of the fact we're true constructors in the sense we make all of our race cars in-house ourselves," she insisted. "Personally, that's the DNA of F1. It shouldn't be diluted by a diluted listed parts list.

"I'm very much looking forward to that change coming on board."

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by English Tony, 12/02/2019 22:12

"Er, BMW Williams...

Before that was their tie-up with Renault and before that with Honda

Frank must think we're stupid

Fact is, he's against manufacturer tie-up when he hasn't got one

What was it they used to call him when he was first in F1?

That

"

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by GarH, 12/02/2019 19:56

"Williams are not the only team making a complete car in their own factory. Force India did very well with far less money than Williams. Racing Point are not complaining, in fact I've not heard a word from them or about them for months. I'll be interested to know what they've been up to over winter.
"

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 12/02/2019 15:34

"One of the reasons, maybe, but the car was an absolute bag of nails, and they didn't have experienced drivers able to drive the development direction (whether that would have made any difference, I don't know). Surely this year's car will be better (I hope), as Williams are now probably the last of the "pure" F1 teams, there, because it's what they do."

Manufacturer 'tie-ups' are "diluting" F1, claims Williams

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page