Williams will not sacrifice 2021 in quest for return to the top

Williams acting team principal Simon Roberts has ruled out sacrificing the 2021 Formula 1 season in order to prosper the following year as the team plots a return to the top.

Roberts, who is standing in as team boss following the departure of the Williams family after the Italian Grand Prix, insisted he wanted to continue the upwards trend experienced by the team between 2019 and this year.

When asked whether the team was looking ahead to the new influx of regulations in 2022 and preparing for those, Roberts replied: "We’re looking at all of it.

"What we don’t want to do is give up on 2021. I think it’s really important to keep the team alive and active and competing.

"So we’re trying to create a short-term plan and, if we could, repeat the step that the team made this year, going from 2019 into 2020. If we can do something like that, then it puts us in a good position for next year.

"What we don’t want to do obviously is sacrifice efforts towards 2022 because there’s new rules, the new financial regulations will start to bite, so we don't’ want to lose that opportunity.

"So, I don’t want to go into any specifics but we’re basically looking at all of it and prioritising across a long time frame."

Roberts has spoken of his pride at being entrusted with the mantle of team principal, even if it is only for the short term.

The former McLaren stalwart has revealed new owners, Dorilton Capital, are involved with the team on a day-to-day basis as the party begins to lay the foundations for a successful future.

"It’s a big step up," he added. "I’m very proud and honoured to be asked to do it but there’s a lot to do in the factory.

"We’re trying to make sure we keep the management team stable with the new owners, so that’s really important for them and the rest of the team. So, me stepping up makes us able to do that.

"We’re now working with the new owners pretty much every day, looking at what we need to do to improve, what the long-term programme is and how do we find some performance for the whole team over a long period of time.

"There’s no quick fix here. We’re in it for the long haul and so are Dorilton."

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