Back to the Auto Racing Newsfeed

Legendary F1 team founder Frank Williams dies aged 79

Frank Williams, the founder of one of Formula One's most successful and popular teams, has died aged 79.

Williams founded the Williams F1 team in 1977 and quickly turned the privateer outfit into one of the sport's best, competing and winning against some of the biggest manufacturers in motor racing. Williams won nine constructors' championships and seven drivers' championships between 1980 and 1997 but has remained on the grid for over 40 years.

Williams himself is one of the most important and respected figures in F1 history. He continued to run his team despite a serious car crash in 1986 which left him tetraplegic and established the team as the dominant force of the 1990s.