Motorsport Musings Ramblings of a racing enthusiast…

“Williams” Book Review

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t have a soft spot for the Williams F1 team? Run by a group of enthusiasts who are driven by a love for the sport, they remain one of the few outfits that exist solely to go racing at the weekend.

In spite of the fact that they have been trundling through the foothills of averageness for the best part of five years now, their illustrious racing heritage coupled with the high regard for Frank Williams and his boffin sidekick Patrick Head, has seen the Grove-based squad, perhaps more than any other constructor, held more in affection than any other team in Britain, perhaps even the world.

Coinciding with the team’s fortieth year in motor racing, “Williams: The Legendary Story of Frank Williams and His F1 Team in Their Own Words” (to give it its full title) by veteran grands prix journalist Maurice Hamilton, goes some way to explaining just why there has always been a striking fondness for the team, from their humble beginnings to becoming one of the biggest players in the sport.

Chronicling Williams’s involvement in motor racing since 1967, “Williams” is a well researched biography, with the centre piece being the contributions by those that played a part in the history of the team. Although slightly jarring to begin with, each chapter starts with a short prose by Hamilton who sets the scene before the key players join the party and share their thoughts and opinions, telling the story from their perspective.

There are far too many to name, but influential people such as Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Nelson Piquet, Damon Hill, Alan Jones, Bernie Ecclestone, Keke Rosberg and Virginia Williams all play an intriguing part in the makeup of this book. About the only absentee is Carlos Reutemann who is perhaps still bitter after leaving Williams under peculiar circumstances in the early 80s.

At approximately 380 pages, “Williams” provides a fascinating insight into how Frank himself operates. A smooth operator from an early age, we see just how he managed to wheel-and-deal his way from selling cars (and pornography!) from a spare room, to reaching the pinnacle of motorsport in 1969 with Piers Courage, a man who continues to hold much reverence with Frank to this day.

Pivotal moments in the history of the team are covered in depth, with large sections of the book devoted to both Frank’s accident and the death of Ayrton Senna during the San Marino Grand Prix in particular. The latter providing some insightful opinions from Patrick Head and Adrian Newey as a dark cloud lingered over the team for several years after the dreadful events that day.

While these moments are given ample time under the spotlight, it sometimes felt like Hamilton did rush through the years at a vast pace. Particularly disappointing I felt was the lack of coverage for the past decade, which was condensed into two short chapters. Maybe Hamilton felt it was too difficult to get anyone to talk about recent events, a reluctance to spill the beans as they’re still actively involved in F1 perhaps?

That aside, once you begin reading this you won’t be able to put it down. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read, which neatly delves into the philopshy of a true grand prix team. No matter where your allegiances may lay, I can’t recommend “Williams” enough.

Rating: ★★★★★

Buy “Williams: The Legendary Story of Frank Williams and His F1 Team in Their Own Words" from Amazon for only £9.99 delivered.

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Ebury Press (20 Aug 2009)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 009193267X
• ISBN-13: 978-0091932671