Brawn: Williams' current plight 'a concern' for Formula 1

Formula 1 managing director Ross Brawn admits the seemingly endless struggles endured by Williams is "a concern" for F1 as the sport cannot afford to lose the British outfit.

Williams enjoyed a reasonably good start to Grand Prix racing's hybrid era in 2014, finishing third that year in the Constructors' championship and repeated the performance the following season.

The Grove-based outfit remained a competitive mid-field runner in 2016 and 2017 but lost its way thereafter, finishing dead last in the last couple of season, its campaigns marred principally by poor engineering choices and internal disruption among its technical staff.

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Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams is confident the popular British outfit can initiate a turn-around this season, but Brawn remains troubled by the team's persistent under-performance.

"It is a concern. Williams has had a couple of very poor years, and you can't carry on like that," Brawn said, quoted by Motorsport.com.

"Sponsors will leave, drivers will leave, but you live in hope that they can pull it together because Williams is a great name for F1, with a great history."

Brawn reckons that F1's regulation overhaul will provide an opportunity for Williams to pull itself out of the rut.

"We don't want to lose them," added the F1 chief. "The more equitable prize money distribution will help them a bit, but they can't languish around the back of the grid forever. It won't last.

"So we keep our fingers crossed that they're going to do a better job in the next couple of seasons."

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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.