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Jones: Criticism of Claire Williams 'easy pickings and terribly unfair'

Former Williams driver Alan Jones has a word for the critics of Claire Williams, the 1980 F1 world champion insisting that holding the team's deputy team principal responsible for its current woes is "terribly unfair".

Williams has been locked in a downward spiral since for the past few seasons, the Grove-based squad scoring just a single point during its 2019 campaign.

Formula 1's third most successful team behind Ferrari and McLaren has become a pale figure of its former self, and Claire Williams has bared the brunt of the criticism during her team's fall.

Claire Williams addresses struggles linked to sexism in F1

But Jones offered a staunch defense of the daughter of his former boss, Sir Frank Williams.

"Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon blaming Claire which is terribly unfair," Jones told The Guardian in Melbourne last week.

"It is easy pickings for them because she is female which is very, very unfair. She is doing a good job and they will come good."

The 73-year-old Australian F1 legend raced for Williams between 1978 and 1981, contributing 11 wins and a world crown to the team's legacy of 114 victories, 7 Drivers' titles and 9 Constructors' championships.

"For Williams, from being no-ones and I mean that, to being a front-running F1 team is an extraordinary feat," insisted Jones.

"I hope to Christ they do come good because that’s my family."

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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.