The Williams F1 Team

Why do they do it? Can anyone remember the last time Williams had the Number 1 on their car? Mansell won the world championship with Williams, and left for Indycars. Prost won the world championship with Williams, and retired. Hill looks like he will win the world championship this year with Williams, and is going to TWR Arrows.

No-one will deny that the Williams team seems to consistently display the technical ability required to win the world championship, and have been arguably the top team for a number of years. No other team has had the same success for such an extended period of time, even the likes of McLaren and Ferrari, once amongst the greatest teams in Formula 1, have hit a rocky patch over recent years.

The question still remains. Why is it that WIlliams find it so difficult to hold on to championship winning drivers? It certainly can't be through lack of money, as the team has to have one of the biggest budgets available to an F1 team. It surely can't be lack of negotiating ability, as they have managed to lure top drivers from other teams (the likes of Mansell, Senna and Prost sprint instantly to mind). So, what is it?

A lot of people will find it difficult to support the Williams team next year, myself included. Let's just hope that Damon Hill can carry out a successful move to Arrows, and turn them into a competitive team using his undoubted abilities as a test driver.

Last updated: 09 January 2001