Sir Frank Williams delivers poignant tribute to Max Mosley

Max Mosley

Sir Frank Williams delivers poignant tribute to Max Mosley

Mosley helped Williams enter F1 by providing March machinery in the late 1970s

Ewan Gale

Tuesday 25 May 2021 15:40

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Sir Frank Williams has paid a poignant tribute to Max Mosley following the death of the former FIA president, aged 81.

Mosley served as FIA president from 1993 to 2009 and was the driving force in racing and road safety during his tenure following the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at Imola in 1994.

Earlier in his career, leading his March Engineering outfit in F1 and lower formulas, Mosley formed a close relationship with Williams, who raced customer cars during Williams Grand Prix Engineering's fledgling F1 career in the late 1970s.

A statement from Williams said: "It is with great sadness that I reflect on the passing of Max.

"Max had a profound impact on the wider world of motorsport, but on a personal level played an integral role in helping establish the foundations for the Williams team.

"He was a smart, talented man and his loss will be felt deeply by all those who knew him.

"I first met Max back in the 1960s when he entered the world of motorsport as a driver. I prepared his car in Formula Two and, whilst he was never the quickest driver on the grid, he was always intelligent behind the wheel.

"After retiring from driving, I continued to work with Max through his March Engineering business, running customer cars in the early 1970s under the Frank Williams Racing Cars banner."

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Willimas then reflected on the early days of his team, which has just completed its 750th race in F1 at the Monaco Grand Prix.

"I would return to running a March chassis having founded Williams Grand Prix Engineering in 1977, with Patrick Nève taking the team’s first start at the Spanish Grand Prix that year.," he added.

"Max’s passing is particularly poignant for me given the role he played in the origins of Williams Racing, as the team celebrated its 750th grand prix last weekend in Monaco.

"It is fair to say that the team would not have achieved what it has achieved if it were not for the support Max gave in those early days, and I will forever be grateful to him for that."

Williams remembers Mosley's legacy

Mosley was a key figure in the creation of the Formula One Constructors' Association using his acumen after training as a lawyer.

Williams pointed to Mosley's political wherewithal as a significant reason as to why F1 is where it is today.

"Despite his success as a chassis builder, Max’s political acumen was always clear," Williams explained.

"I had every confidence in the creation of the Formula One Constructors’ Association [FOCA] in 1974, with Max, myself, Bernie Ecclestone, Colin Chapman, Teddy Mayer, and Ken Tyrrell being founding members.

"This political skill led to Max having a profound impact on not only F1 but motorsport and road safety, in his role as president of the FIA.

"As a team owner, I had many dealings with him in this position and whilst we did not always see eye-to-eye on every issue, he was always willing to have a frank conversation and exchange of views.

"He led the sport into a new era during this period, one characterised by improved safety and technological innovation, and for that he will always be remembered fondly.

"My thoughts, and those of the Williams family, go out to his family and friends at this challenging time."