Williams still fighting to protect its independence

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Williams will continue to fiercely protect its independence as an F1 constructor, with the team looking forward to F1's 2021 regulations which should enforce its status.

While several of its mid-field rivals have leveraged on their close technical relationship with manufacturer teams, Williams has remained a fully independent outfit, a state of affairs that hasn't benefitted it according to deputy team principal Claire Williams.

"It's not easy currently with the way the regulations are for truly independent constructors to compete," Williams told Motorsport.com.

"That probably was one of the reasons we slipped back to P10 last year, based on the work going on between certain teams.

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"However, that falls within the existing regulations. One of the reasons we're so supportive of the work the FIA and FOM are doing at the moment [is] in order to rebuild the parts list.

"We're very much advocates of that. We know that will change the landscape of F1 in 2021 and beyond to enable teams like our teams."

Indeed, the array of listed parts -- components teams must design and produce in-house -- will likely be expanded when F1 usher's in its new rules in 2021, a move that would impact the collaboration that currently exists between teams - like Ferrari and Haas - that enjoy the benefits of a tie-up.

©Williams

In the interim however, Williams must better exploit its own independent capabilities and resources.

"We're incredibly proud of the fact we're true constructors in the sense we make all of our race cars in-house ourselves," said Claire Williams.

"Personally, that's the DNA of F1. It shouldn't be diluted by a diluted listed parts list. I'm very much looking forward to that change coming on board."

"We have some great resources, we have two fabulous wind tunnels. We've got great capability at Williams and we need to make sure we're using it in the right way."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.