‘Formula One is an unusual business’- Sir Frank Williams

Questions and answers with Sir Frank Williams after Malaysian Grand Prix

Interview with Frank Williams

Q: What are your thoughts after Malaysia?

FW: I was disappointed with our performance in the Malaysian Grand Prix. We expected more after starting with both cars inside the top 10, but some detailed technical issues appeared for the first time and stopped us realising our potential. However, there were positives to take from the weekend, and we have a strong team back at the factory analysing and resolving the current issues in preparation for China.

Q: What about the drivers? Nico scored his first world championship point at Sepang…

FW: To say we were awe-inspired by Nico’s performance in Malaysia is a silly choice of words, but we definitely think he’s got what it takes. He got quicker and quicker throughout the weekend and he fought hard in the race. He’s a tiger; we think he’s outstanding.

Q: And what about Rubens?

FW: He always delivers a lot of professional input and we would be a weaker team without him. He’s a true team player; he’s very thoughtful; he’s very balanced and he’s careful in his delivery of information. He had a strange vibration in his brakes in Malaysia, but we’ll sort that.

Q: What about the performance of the FW32 this year?

FW: It’s not good enough at the moment. We’ve come away from the opening rounds with a number of initiatives, which are all to do with performance and all of which we must accelerate. But I’m not overly worried about our performance for the season just yet; I think we’ll improve and there’s still a long way to go.

Q: What are your goals for the remainder of the season?

FW: They are still the same as before Bahrain: points at every race.

Q: Looking at the bigger picture, is there anything wrong with the show in F1?

FW: Formula One is an unusual business. Even when there isn’t lots of overtaking, there’s still some very tough racing – but not everyone appreciates that. No sport offers endless excitement, but I don’t want to say Formula One should do nothing. Everyone can do their bit to jazz up the show: we can make changes to the cars and the circuits need to take some responsibility as well. Whatever changes we make, they need to be well thought through.

Courtesy Williams F1 © RIF