Williams seeing 'strong interest' from potential investors

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Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams says the British outfit is seeing "strong interest" from potential investors amid the company's ongoing sales process.

At the end of May, Williams Grand Prix Holdings, which includes F1's third most successful team, announced that it was considering a partial or full sale of its assets as part of a strategic review conducted by the company.

The decision followed several years of under-performance by the Grove-based outfit, weighed down by ill-inspired technical choices and management gyrations in its technical department.

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As the process unfolds and investors conduct their due diligence, Claire Williams reported that talks have so far been encouraging.

"There is not a whole lot more news other than to say the process is going well and we’re really happy with the interest that we’ve received and the quality of that interest has been really strong as well," Williams told F1.com.

"It’s a process and it’s going to take a little while to go through that. As and when we can make an announcement, we will."

In the days following the announcement of the company's strategic review, Williams ensured a potential sale would provide the F1 team with a "positive future" and guarantee its continued presence on the grid.

The 43-year-old team boss reiterated that viewpoint in Austria.

“We’re looking forward to it," she said. "It's going to set Williams up really well and in conjunction with the new regulations coming through next year, in particular the new financial regulations, it’s going to put Williams on a good footing for hopefully moving forward to much better times for the team."

Potential suitors for the team include Canadian billionaire Michael Latifi, the father of Williams driver Nicholas Latifi, and Israeli businessman Chanoch Nissany who is sponsoring his son Roy's development role with the teal this year.

But Russian fertilizer billionaire Dmitry Mazepin, who missed out on a buy-out of Force India in 2018, could also be interested in acquiring Williams, to further the career of his son, F2 racer Nikita Mazepin.

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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.