Claire Williams: Sale of F1 team should be viewed as positive

The potential sale of the Williams Formula 1 team should only be viewed as a positive move, according to deputy team principal Claire Williams.

The Grove-based outfit announced last week that it is considering a partial or even full sale of its F1 team as part of a new strategic review of its operations aimed at securing its future.

Williams revealed it was already in discussions with potential investors after confirming it had terminated its title sponsorship with ROKiT with immediate effect, despite agreeing an extension last year.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Williams said a sale should not be looked at “in a negative, disappointing way” and insisted any decision would be made in the best interests of the team.

“It's funny, I've been getting so many emails of condolences from people. I get that, it's much appreciated, but I'm looking at this from a really positive perspective,” she explained.

“This is something that will ensure the future sustainability of our team and the Williams family has always been about that. We put our team first and we put its success first. 

“The investment that we're looking for is going to help us achieve that. So for me, this is a good thing what we're doing, and it shouldn't be looked at in a negative, disappointing way, or anything other than positive.

“The people at Williams understand that and they're excited. This could potentially give us a very positive future.”

Williams wants to complete the process of finding new investors - or  new owners - for its F1 team by the summer and is to change its livery ahead of the planned season-opener in Austria on July 5.

And Williams stressed her team has a “fully-funded budget” to go racing this year and complete the season.

“We are so lucky with the support that we get around the world from our fans, they're the best fans out there,” she said.

“I know that even some of our fans are starting crowdfunding pages for us, which is just wonderful.

“But I can absolutely, wholeheartedly promise you that we have a fully-funded budget to continue this year's calendar, whatever that calendar may look like.

“The car will still be a Willams, it will still be the same people involved putting that car on the grid on a Sunday. George and Nicholas will still be in it, the only thing that will change is we will have a slightly different livery.

“We will be giving it, as we would each and every year we go racing, our absolute all to do the best job we can.”