Williams Racing boss Jost Capito is adamant that the team's owner, Dorilton Capital, is in Formula 1 for the long and has no intention of selling the British outfit.
Dorilton acquired Williams from the team's founding family in the summer of 2020, but rumors earlier this year of German manufacturer Audi's interest in taking a stake in the Grove-based outfit led to speculation that the New York investment firm would be more than happy to flip its asset for a quick significant profit.
While Dorilton likely entertained a potential offer for Williams from Audi as a fiduciary duty towards its shareholders, Capito insists the US private equity's ambitions in F1 are long term.
"Dorilton’s goal is not to sell at a profit, Dorilton’s goal is to be successful," Capito told Motorsport-Total.
"They want to get the team back to the front and they want Williams to win again. How long that will take, that remains to be seen.
"At the moment, our bosses are fully behind us. After all, we are doing the business plan for the long term.
"We don’t work month to month, we have long-term plans and they are signed off and, I think, they are realistic. Williams couldn’t have a better owner."
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However, Formula 1's extraordinary growth and popularity could encourage an original equipment manufacturer to show up at its doorstep with an offer it cannot refuse.
Capito suggested that Williams would perhaps consider a partnership but insisted once again that Dorilton is not looking to cash out from its investment.
Matthew Savage, Dorilton Capital Chairman
"An OEM is probably always good for a team, but under certain conditions. It all depends," said the former VW motorsport boss.
"Something like that can give a boost to the team, but I think the team still has to be core Formula 1 business.
"And if a manufacturer takes over completely, then it’s not necessarily core business Formula 1, but then it’s something you can switch on and off. And that’s where you have to weigh it up.
"The situation is also different for every team. For us it’s very clear: Dorilton doesn’t want to sell. And we think it’s better for the team not to sell than to become a manufacturer."
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