Q & A with Frank Williams

Conducted and provided by Williams's press office

Q. Are you confident that Formula One as a sport has found the right way forward for 2003 and beyond?

Frank Williams:

I believe some good practical measures have been put in place for next season, but I keep an open mind to new suggestions. Our philosophy has always been to encourage dialogue and foster ideas that might provide a better way of running the sport in today's more difficult economic climate. However, what I believe must remain inviolate are the core values of the sport, in particular that Formula One is the ultimate expression of meritocracy. The sport should never knowingly dilute this pre-eminent virtue that is its fundamental attraction.

Q. Who do you think the new rules will benefit in 2003?

FW:

As far as qualifying is concerned, I think Saturday itself will be a real spectacle, but to what degree it shakes up the grid in a radical fashion remains to be seen. It would be fair to say that drivers who demonstrate a clear ability to get on the limit quickly will prosper. What is clear in my mind is that the qualifying rules will shift the reliance on the driver to perform on his own, rather than the driver with his supporting engineers and the wider team.

Q. How has WilliamsF1 geared up to the challenge that Ferrari presented in 2002?

FW:

I would like to think that there is no specific area that we have addressed, rather that we have taken absolutely nothing for granted and reassessed ourselves in absolutely every area of our operation. We are making the most substantial capital investment in our business to date, we have recruited new expertise, we are looking at a wide ranging series of improvements to our manufacturing procedures, we have scrutinised the way WilliamsF1 integrates with BMW in all aspects of the Formula One programme, and I hope in short we have left no stone unturned in our efforts to improve for 2003.

Q. How does the BMW WilliamsF1 Team stand commercially?

FW:

Well, as I have already alluded, economic circumstances are undoubtedly more complex for every form of business within and, of course, well beyond Formula One at the current time. It is true to say that alongside a major re-evaluation of our technical processes, we have also re-assessed the way in which we can offer more value to our commercial sponsors and partners to remain a competitive proposition for their marketing spend. But in the same way that Patrick believes that WilliamsF1 has the resource and ability to design and build the fastest racecar in Formula One, I also believe that there is always business to be done, no matter what the economic context.

Q. You celebrated your sixtieth birthday this year - what else do you want to achieve in Formula One?

FW:

Well, I don't really see my purpose in life as simply collecting accolades. I am involved in the sport fundamentally because I love it. Naturally, part of this affection for Formula One is the immense satisfaction that winning provides, but if some seasons periodically don't result in championships and titles, that provides the incentive to redouble your efforts. While I still have this engagement with, and affinity for Formula One, I will remain involved, and it goes without saying that a Championship in 2003 would be the best validation of this.