F1’S SIR FRANK WILLIAMS DIES

The world of F1 racing has lost one of its legends. Sir Frank Williams, founder and former team principal of Williams Racing has died.

The 79-year-old was admitted to hospital on Friday and passed away on Sunday morning. A statement from the team said that he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.

“Today we pay tribute to our much loved and inspirational figurehead. Frank will be sorely missed. We request that all friends and colleagues respect the Williams family’s wishes for privacy at this time.”

While he was the team principal at Williams Racing, the BBC reports that the team won nine constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ titles, and dominated much of the 1980s and 1990s.

Williams was not only involved with the sport at team principal level, but he was also a former driver. His driving career however was brought to a complete halt after a spinal cord injury in a car crash in France in 1986. It meant he was bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Tributes have been pouring in from all over the world. Current Williams Racing drivers Nicholas Latifi and George Russell have shown their respect.

Russell said that “Sir Frank was such a genuinely wonderful human being” that he’ll always remember for the laughs they shared while Latifi said it was “an honour to represent your name on the world stage and we will continue to push hard to take the team back up the grid.”

Image credit: Sky Sports