Mark Webber said it was the worst decision of his life leaving Jaguar to go to William when he walked into the workshop he said it was like a morgue compared the the happy faces at jaguar and that Frank Williams and Patrick Head were like dictators and completely ignored what the drivers had to say about the car

This is a team stuck in their past achievements and practices, with terrible management.

having adrian newey's book, and listening to various drivers' interviews, reading f1 articles throughout the years, the reasons i believe what lead to the downturn of Williams is frank williams and patrick head's mindset being stuck in the past and not changing with the times. all the things the video listed here stems from stubborness from two old boys who got left behind.

They should've kept BMW as a partner, like McLaren had Mercedes. Yes, McLaren were up to about 40% owned by Mercedes, but they were still regarded as a fully fletched independent team. If William had done the same, they would maybe have had won 1-3 WDC's and 1-2 WCC's, and still be a midfield, if not, top team today. A shame...

Tbh, Frank is the biggest problem. His stubbornness which got them success initially has also been the reasons for his biggest failures. Watching the documentary about him, where Claire reads out part of her mother's autobiography (which Frank has refused to read) you could see how uncomfortable he was with her honesty. I think Claire's had too big of a bad rap by the press and fans - Frank's still got a grip on the team (he even screwed up his relationship with his son over it!). He should have agreed to take Stroll on as a 40-50% partner. Initially, Stroll might have agreed to that amount of involvement (and I'm sure he'd have loved to have been associated with such a historically significant team). But because Frank does things his way, the only partner in the business who's ever had any real say in what happens is of course Patrick Head, because they essentially started the team together. I genuinely understand why Frank would want to hold onto his baby, but he's often had blinkers on when it comes to making business decisions. Look at what happened in the 90s with the merry-go-round of the best drivers in the world at that time, who all wanted to drive for him, yet he'd screw up simple contract discussions. I am positive it started then (although he has always been this way, the way he treated the drivers then was just dumb). Anyhoo, that's just my humble opinion, as they say.

Sacking Damon Hill which annoyed Adrian Newey bigtime and caused him to also leave was main factor tbh!

Its very easy to be romantic about Williams but lets face we are entering a period in F1 where manufacturers will dominate for the foreseeable future. The Williams name needs some sort of a partnership with something like a Honda or an Aston Martin alongside it in order to survive, similar to what Red Bull and Racig Point have.

That 1 point is courtesy of alfa romeo...

Frank and Patrick’s egos killed the team.

I feel bad for George Russell

The money distribution in F1 is so counterproductive to competitive racing it isnt even funny.

the rot started when they fired/released Hill after winning the championship in 1996 as far as I can see

Poor management, history of treating valuable persons badly (e.g. Damon Hill, Adrian Newey), stubborn reluctance to change, and Claire Williams unsuited to her role. It's a shame to see them in trouble.

Selling to BMW would've been a mistake, but all the other options they had would've secured them in an almost guaranteed top 3-5 spot up until today, not giving Newey a share in the team was a huge mistake.

Williams should sell their team for 1 pound, and get someone like Ross Brawn on the case, find a loophole and get 2 world championships.

Frank Williams was both a strength and a weakness for the team. His resistance to buyouts and his stubbornness to stay independent seemingly at all costs are the main reasons the team is in such a position.

Claire Williams has to feature here I sadly think - not being able to even have the car ready for testing at the start of last year was an embarrassment and surely that fault has to lie with senior management.

I never forgave them for sacking Damon Hill .

I think being too stubborn to make a deal with the Strolls will end up being the final straw for Williams in F1. They are going to be forced to sign a much worse deal than the were offered by Stroll in order to survive. It's sad, but not surprising. That's been the Williams way for my lifetime

Williams was not the same after Bottas left for Mercedes. Bottas overtook the Mercedes cars at Silverstone in the start of the race & Wolfe was panicking. Bottas fought with Kimi in a Ferrari back in the day until they crashed into each other.

For me, the decline of Williams began in 1992 when Frank fired Mansell who had just won the championship and nine races for him. And it continued on with a nefarious trend of firing world champions to prove to the world anyone could win in his cars. Prost, followed, then Hill, then Villeneuve. And since then, Williams was never dominant again. Karma? Lack of humility? Truth is, Frank forgot to value his drivers, and to value the car more than the human who deove it.

If we're living through the Darkest Timeline for Williams, then in an alternate universe where Williams doesn't make these mistakes, we'd see Nico Hulkenberg winning in a Newey-designed, BMW-powered, Martini-liveried car funded by Stroll & BMW. Just think about Nico in the white Martini car with the BMW engine noise.

I think the teams management has also been a factor, there's no doubt that Claire understand the team and understands the importance of Williams to F1. But, over the past 7 years she just hasn't managed to get the right people behind the scenes and the right drivers in the seats for them to develop the car and have a long period of sustained success.

I seen an interview where Claire Williams said she’d never be a junior Mercedes team. I think this is the perfect opportunity. Keep the iconic name, keep the engines, swallow her pride and get the financial power and knowledge of being a Merc junior team. I believe it would work well for both teams! Once their problems are sorted try and by their independent status back.

The main issue with Williams is Frank Williams mistreating drivers, considering them as mere employees rather than the centre of the team's universe.

I’ve always been a big Williams fan so it’s sad to watch this and see what the team is going through. I hope they get a new owner who can invest in the team but keep its identity

I feel the family feud within the Williams family especially evident in the Netflix documentary is probably the biggest factor you forgot the mention.

Decision to promote and stick with Claire to! She’s lovely, and should have a high position with in the team! But they were struggling, they needed a manager with experience! It’s crazy to think in a bad situation, they gave the job to someone with nil experience! It’s not her fault, and this is not a bashing! I wanted her to be successful (I hope most did) No other business would make such an unexplainable move though 😪

Sad to see the state of Williams now. I was born in the 90's and never really saw them at their best, but to see the slow and agonizing decline these last 15ish years is sad knowing their winning history. They're the last of a dying breed. I hope they can keep their name and some sort of independent identity.

BMW produced the most powerful engine on the grid in just their second season in. Not only it was the most powerful, it was also the lighter than every other engine Ferrari included. That's just an incredible achievement. They would have never pulled out of F1 had they won the championship. But the egos of Frank and Head was too big even for BMW.

6:12 I'd like to state the fact that, even being a pay driver, Sirotkin is a good driver. Plus, what happened with Bruno Senna is shameful

I lost respect for Williams when they sacked Damon Hill but never wanted them to go to the bottom of the pile. Theve never looked like a happy team they always got a grimace on their faces and never a smile from the start.

Nepotism is never a replacement for effective leadership.

Williams' shortcomings are f1's shortcomings, making the spec so outlandish that no privateers can compete with the big teams

I took a great interest when Claire took the job she now has as I thought it could be a good move. I would call myself a fan of hers, but unfortunately she has shown weaknesses. Nico Rosberg did a long interview with her for his youtube channel which was very interesting. Unfortunately there are a couple of places where she let us see that what you might call the 'killer instinct' is not quite there. Given that the atmosphere within any organisation tends to come from the top down, the whole team probably reacts, maybe even unconsciously, to her occasionally slightly flaky performances. Having said that, I think some of the criticisms aimed at Frank in these comments are valid. It might improve things if Claire was actually given the title of Team Principal rather than deputy and given the powers that go with it. I would really like to see her succeed.

Didn't mention the management change that put Claire 'in charge' - Nepotism is even worse than pay drivers i am afraid.

The last good CTO Williams had was Symonds, at least he was capable of developing chassis’ capable of running high up in the midfield. Not to mention losing Bottas after 2016 was a huge blow to the team...

I really felt for the Williams family today, Claire and the legend Frank. Good luck to both and we hope the Williams name last forever

Many people forget that in the latter stages of the 2004 season, BMW extended their contract with Williams until 2009. Additionally, at the start of 2005 BMW revealed that Sauber would become their second team alongside Williams. However, because the relationship soured so quickly due to the decline of Williams' results and politics between the two parties, BMW bought out Sauber and cut ties with Williams.

The biggest change for better that can happen with Williams is totally new management with people that know what they are doing

1. Frank unfortunately lost the plot a long time ago. 2. His appointment of Claire. Added to the loss of Newey, these are the major reasons why Williams is about to be consigned to history.

The first nine reasons can all be summed up with two simple reasons: Frank Williams is stubborn and unable to keep up with modern developments; and Claire Williams is a weak manager and refuses to take advice. So sad to witness the demise of a once great team.

Great video. As an F1 fan over 40 years seeing where Williams was to where they are is sad and not good for F1.

Main reason is Claire not have any idea about how F1 team works and pushing Head on the side lines. I’m happy that she said “she will Never sell Williams” And now she is yelling how great of an idea this is and it is all according to her plan

Would be really sad to see Williams name disappear from F1...as anyone who isnt completely new to F1 knows, only Mclaren and Ferrari have richer history in the sport. As others have said, I wish Williams had continued partnership with BMW but sadly that didnt happen. They never truly recovered after that partnership ended, not even when they momentarily got big boost from Mercedes PUs in 2014-2015.

Also, when F1 telly rights were sold to ITV, Frank didn't want ITV to have a World Champion to promote their telly show. I can see the point Frank was trying to make. BBC 2 showed a motor race. ITV hosted a big budget telly extravaganza. Frank threw Damon under the bus.

What about Claire Williams?

My boy Edd Straw back at it again with the CONTENT

I was an avid followers of F1 in the early 90s. Sad to see the privateers struggle and failing since then. Feel something a miss when you don’t see Benetton, Jordan, Tyrell, Sauber, etc from the constructors lineup. It’s only McLaren left now, although I’m not sure if they still a privateers.

You know what, WIlliams would have been named Racing Point if they allowed Strolls to take over. I would hate it if that happened.

Not having the financial backing of a major car manufacturer that Williams has had in the past with Honda, Renault and BMW is the main reason why Williams has struggled against some of the top teams

Great video, so sad to see Williams where it is at the moment...

Sadly, much of Williams decline can be attributed pretty much directly to Claire Williams. She seemed determined only to please her Father by keeping the team operating, and made few moves to get them team forward. The team was stuck in the past and didn't prepare for the future. There is hope for 2022 if they happen to have a decent aero / mechanical grip package, otherwise they will be years before the get a sniff of being really good again. Best thing to happen to them in the last 5 years or so has been selling the team. it allowed for big changes at the top which were sorely needed.

Good analysis, you hit it spot on. I think that Patrick and Frank stuck around too long, and Claire Williams can't fill their shoes. McLaren said YES to Mercedes, Williams should have done the same to BMW. They missed great opportunity with BMW, when you look back and partnership with BMW, they were unconcentrated, sloppy and made many mistake which are forbidden if you want to be champion.

May 1st 1994 is when the first stitch came lose. Just kept unraveling after that.

I don't think Williams ever really recovered from the dual loss of Renault and Newey in 1998. They have won races since and been competitive, but never consistently. I don't think they ever truly found a combination of car and engine that worked that well for them again. The loss of Head from the technical role seemed to set the cap on this as since then they've just never seemed to find a consistent direction and stick with it. They just jump from one designer, engine supplier and technical director to the next at random hoping that they'll luck into something that works.

You highlight the failure to replace Patrick Head, but fail to address the elephant in the room...Frank Williams inevitably, as the years went by, was less and less able to influence the running of the team. The affect on the decline of the team with the promotion of Claire Williams is debatable, but based on the declining influence of Frank Williams. Why isn't this mentioned at all?

Stabbed Nigel in the back by signing Prost.

There is a crazy fact about Williams, despite their decline, they always seem to employ F1 race winners Of the 42 drivers that have ever started an F1 Grand Prix for Williams, 26 have won an F1 Grand Prix. 15 of them won while at Williams

They should have kept Barrichello for 2012

No mentions of the Rokit sponsorship being lost I see🤔

The problem with Williams is simple. Poor management due to huge ego's.

When you’ve had such success with one strategy it can be more difficult to make the necessary changes.

For me, consistently firing drivers as they won the world championship is the Williams team's biggest sin; Mansell, Villenueve and Hill. Simply unthinkable. The lack of respect for Newey, one of the most brilliant car designers of all time, was ethically corrupt.

Nepotism, as some mentioned. might be a reason. Although I respect the man very highly, I think Frank should have backed out of the team completely a decade ago. Claire has never had full control, daddy always watching over her shoulder. No clear leadership means no clear direction.

They need a manufacturer backing. And I don’t mean just a engine supply.

Their piss poor management of drivers is another downfall. How many great drivers did they force out?

The bungling FIA making costly rule changes almost yearly certainly hasn't helped.

Thank you for not taking the easy way out (as I have seen so manny do as of late) and just blame Claire.

I would love to see Andretti in F1. Invest in Williams, train Marco for the Indy team and have Michael run Williams. I rather other privateer take over, than a manufacturer that will only be there for half a decade and leave.

2014 was their chance. They had easily the second-fastest car alongside Red Bull. With someone like Alonso, they might have got him a WDC! I mean, he finished P4, ahead of Vettel and Alonso in just his second year in f1. Massa lagged behind a lot. With a better partner Williams should really have got P2 in the constructors' and p3 and p4 in the WDC.

Their biggest mistake has to be not teaming up with Lance Stroll , imagine if Williams was bought by Aston Martin & there would be a Aston Martin Williams team

Massive egos and in fighting, letting Mansell Hill and Newey go. I feel for Claire Williams, she has been thrown to the wolves. Cowards!

The day Williams and Head refused Newey to get shares of the company simple as that

Let's hope Dorilton can turn things around for 2022 with the new changes and the leveling of the field. Finishing top 5 in 2022 is doable.

Reason is that the time has changed. Brabham, Lotus, Tyrell, ....Williams :(

The way Williams could leave F1 but I would want Audi to come to F1

Edd Straw his voice is just so soothing. That is all. (yeah, Claire is just nepotism gone wrong, shocking)

The technical issues with Williams wind tunnel data and its lack of correlation with on track car data, coming back since 5 years ago or so, also paved the way to its ongoing crisis. Unfortunately😪. Let’s hope the team can be saved one way or another🙏🏼

It was never clear to me why Paddy Lowe left. Was he sacked because of the poor cars that were delivered late, or did he quit due to the management structure? I doubt the cause was actually personal issues.

It's sad to see Williams at the back but the truth is that they didn't have good aerodymanics and managment. It'll be better to give the "gloves" to someone like Andreas Seidl and give Claire job in PR because she's better there than managing the team.

They also made some poor driver choices, letting good guys go & getting in paid or lower cost drivers. You get what you pay for in life, in this case trips into the gravel traps, colliding with other cars & poor technical feedback.

When Honda split with McLaren midway through 2017, Williams should have pounced on a paternership. Instead, the multi-millions that Honda bring to the table got swollowed up into the already deep pocketed Red Bull stable, with Williams still running the ever decreasing advantaged Mercedes engine.

A lot of these issues can be summed up as Frank and Patrick not wanting to give up control

Yeah always felt the lost of Stroll senior to Racing Point is very dumb move. He's literally perfect kind of person for them. I'm surprised Claire Williams isn't on the list.

Probably down to Frank, although Claire was put in charge I very much doubt she has much say and as everybody knows, but everybody, Frank is one awkward SOB!

really hope who ever buys or invests in the team can bring the cars back up to the front . f1 needs names like this in the sport , but reading the comments i can understand more why than in the video , great vid though , keep up the good work

I have mixed feelings seeing Williams in such a situation as a part of me felt that Williams deserve to go bust, as I deeply believe that they are responsible for Ayrton Senna's death.

Williams won't survive into the 2020's. Calling it now. Hell maybe not even to the end of 2020.

It causes me physical pain to see Williams like this. my days are darker. I wish i could do something about it

There definitely good enough to be a midfeild team, the problem is they got it completely wrong in 2018, and they haven't been able to recover.

One thing that must happen is the revenue distribution must be fair... So far it´s been the big three hoarding most of the gains and the others fighting for scraps. This must change.

They lost Newey. Ever since has just been managed decline which has now come to it's all too predictable conclusion. Independents need geniuses to offset their lack of money. McLaren is going through the same now but at least they have recognized that to continue racing at the top they need to have another revenue stream to pay for it.

Happens when engineering is sidelined

I think you found all the reasons. I remember when I first started watching F1 and didn't believe that Tyrrell and Brabham had once been top teams yet now I see the same with Williams and McLaren. McLaren are starting their recovery and I hope Williams can too.

Frank Williams undervalued people at all levels, and treated them poorly. This worked fine in an era where the new application of technology ruled. When technology became known to all, and the rules tightened up, having a healthy organization with great people working as a team became most important. When everyone knows the technological tools available, it is implementation that makes the difference. In this environment, it is people and their management that matter the most. In the 80s and 90s, technology in F1 was in the hands of a few. Teams like McLaren and Williams dominated, not by inventing new technology, but taking technology from aerospace, electronics and other highly engineered fields, and then applying these technologies to motor sports. Virtually NOTHING in F1 has ever been truly new technology. The advantage has always come from applying the technology to a new use - motorsports. Carbon fiber? Used for years in aerospace. Active suspension and automatic gearboxes? Those are basically control systems problems that high speed machinery manufacturers and aerospace controls designers were very familiar with. Etc. etc. By 2000, the rules had reigned in technology, and winning primarily became a function of having the right (huge) budget, having the right people, and running a great organization. I did not say driver, because if you have those things, you will eventually end up with top driving talent. Sometimes it works the other way too. Schumacher was successful at Ferrari by doing what Prost failed to do - improving Ferrari to make it a well managed organization, at least to the extent possible with passionate Italians. But success was dependent on having a healthy well managed operation. Frank Williams had a history of treating people poorly at all levels. From drivers to designers to low level technical staff, his organizations were not healthy. Basically, Williams has had crappy leadership and management. In the 80s and 90s that could be overcome. But in the modern era, it could not. It is as simple as that.

11th Reason/Moment - *Claire Williams*

You've got to throw nepotism in here, surely?

What is the song playing in the background

It breaks my heart to see Williams in the position it is now. F1 needs privateer teams, manufacturer's come and go according to market whims and downturns, they have no commitment. Long live Williams. so many great memories.