Head would step back from Williams F1
Essential element in the development of Williams F1 in the 1980s and 1990s, Patrick Head might further distance himself from the top discipline as early as the end of the year.
Last May, Adam Parr, chairman of Williams F1, stated that Patrick Head might retire during the year. The co-founder of the British team doesn’t see it that way and announced to BBC Sport: “All I know is that I’m not going to retire.”
Patrick Head is an iconic figure in Formula 1 and the Williams team. A longtime friend of Frank Williams, Head decided in 1976 to embark on the adventure and take a significant role in the creation of Williams Grand Prix Engineering. He completely designed the team’s first single-seaters, notably leading Alan Jones (1980) and then Kéké Rosberg (1982) to the Drivers’ World Championship title and securing two Constructors’ World Championships (1980 and 1981).
Building on these successes, Patrick Head took a more elevated role and was the driving force behind the creation of the position of technical director, assigning the various aspects of design and production of the single-seaters to different departments while overseeing the entire process. Temporarily propelled to the head of Williams F1 in the mid-1980s, following Frank Williams’ car accident, he helped secure two new constructors’ titles (1986 and 1987) and a new driver’s title with Nelson Piquet (1987).
The 1990s will be prosperous years for Williams. Head will not be a stranger to this as he will support the recruitment of a young engineer recently let go by the Leyton House team, Adrian Newey. The latter, well guided by Head, will be the mastermind behind the Williams-Renault cars that will win four constructors’ titles and four drivers’ titles (Mansell, Prost, Hill, and Villeneuve) between 1991 and 1997.
In 2004, following the decline in performance of the Grove team, Patrick Head had to leave his post as technical director in favor of a young Australian, Sam Michaels. Having become director of engineering, he no longer holds as significant a position within the organization of Frank Williams’ team as before. However, he remains very present with his team and highly respected in the world of F1.
« I will probably not be as involved with Williams F1 from the end of the year, but I will still take part in some Williams activities. I will certainly be present at a few races, but not in a major role in the management of the Formula 1 team. » Patrick Head is thus expected to take on a key role within the “Williams Hybrid Power” program responsible for the development of energy recovery systems usable both in competition and in the automotive industry.
While awaiting confirmation of this information, Patrick Head took the opportunity to analyze the behavior of the Williams team and the changes that occurred during the year: « A number of people in important positions were twiddling their thumbs and saying, “It’s a disaster!” That’s not good. The team had no other choice but to restructure the technical department ».
« Over the last four or five years, the same pattern repeated itself: we tended to improve towards the end of the season, and during the winter, our performances fell again, even when everyone was working hard. When that sort of thing lasts so long, changes need to be made. ». Head remains confident nonetheless: « We have some very good technologies but the car’s balance is lacking. I think from now on, we are going to be better. Our rigor and determination are strong. ».
