There’s the flywheel KERS technology Williams Hybrid supplied to the Le Mans-winning Audi team there’s the Williams-Jaguar C-X75 hybrid Supercar programme there’s the partnership with Kinetic Storage Systems for the development of low-carbon mass transit rail and grid networks there’s the Williams Technology Centre in Qatar, and its association with Silatech, the employment-generating company owned by the region’s royal family there’s the deal with the Canadian-based multi-national, Hatch, to supply F1 technology for mining, metal processing, energy and transportation there’s the Qatar simulator deal with Mowasalat there’s the partnership between Williams Hybrid and Go-Ahead to develop flywheel energy storing applications for buses there’s the award-winning Williams Conference centre and Museum at Grove, Oxfordshire, and the afore-mentioned, similarly-impressive, facility in Qatar (venue of the global Tedx Summit in April) and there are the nice little touches like the “The Williams Story” topiary – the silhouette of car and pit personnel that won a Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show eight days after Pastor’s win in Spain.Īll busy, diverse stuff – most of which arose from 2010-11, when Williams were in a racing slump. McLaren appear to be the world leader in (another F1-word coined!) Applied Technology – in leveraging F1 expertise to generate income or product from other industries while simultaneously opening doors to new sponsors (Lucozade, via GlaxoSmithKline being a classic case in point) – but WilliamsF1, to my eye, lies a strong second in this new race. I concede (to myself) that I am impressed. We have to maximize every part of the company – maximize what we can do. We provide a service and from that things may grow. We’ve put a lot of effort into the base in Qatar. “Spent a lot of time in the Middle East recently. “I think it’s looking pretty good,” he says, choosing each word with care. “How’s the sponsorship going, Frank?” I ask, intrigued as I am by the after-affects of Pastor’s recent win in Spain.įrank again peers into the middle distance that, over the years, has become his friend and support. He’s definitely ready to move.”Ī spurt from a nearby wheelgun – the prelude to a Force India pit stop practice – jolts me back. “I spoke to him this morning,” I say, gasping a little. Ask him to come to the caravan when he gets a moment.” “Must sign Nelson this weekend,” he says, breathing easily. It is Austria, 1985 – and we’re setting off for a run in the mountain foothills. I look down at Frank, whose attention has now turned to the Lewis Hamilton McLaren being pushed down the pit lane towards Parc Ferme. It is Carlos Reutemann, king of Argentina, who speaks. Wearing a singlet, short shorts and Nikes, he is alternately jogging and then stretching, jogging then stretching. And Frank is in the forecourt of the Sheraton, sweat pouring from his tender English skin. The same sun is glowing hot, dominating an azure sky. “Do you need anything,” I ask, noticing that Frank’s PA has for the moment disappeared to the back of the garage. Frank, a study in concentration, eyeing a Toro Rosso, a few yards from where he sat. Frank, in wheelchair, wearing customary v-necked, dark blue pullover, grey trousers, black Rosettis. IT WAS one of those regular Frank chats, born of a thinning pit lane and a dispersing Canadian crowd. Here, in 1981, we’re laughing about Nigel Mansell’s spin in the Lotus Esprit…when Frank was riding in the passenger seat…. I had a lot of fun with Frank at the Goodyear track days that used to be staged before every British GP.
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