Williams drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant took to social media to pay a heartfelt tribute to their departing team boss Jost Capito.
Williams Racing unexpectedly announced on Monday that Capito and the team's technical director FX Demaison would be stepping down from the team as Dorilton Capital, the outfit's shareholder, undertakes a sudden management shake-up.
Capito, who will leave Williams after just two years on the job, was instrumental in signing up Albon after George Russell's transfer to Mercedes.
The Anglo-Thai racer had been sidelined by Red Bull for a year and was hoping to return to the F1 grid when Capito came calling.
"We only had one year working together but in that time you were not just a Team Principal but also a great friend," wrote Albon on social media.
"Thank you Jost for your faith in me this year and all the support that that came with. Wishing you the very best in the future."
Williams rookie Sargeant, who will make his F1 race debut with the Grove-based outfit in 2023, was equally grateful to Capito for being given an opportunity to join motorsport's elite.
"Jost, thank you for having the trust and belief in me throughout my time in the academy and helping me on my path to F1," said the young American.
"He gave me an opportunity to show my potential and race in Formula 2. He has been a great team leader, and I wish him the best in whatever the future may hold!"
Jost, thank you for having the trust and belief in me throughout my time in the academy and helping me on my path to F1. He gave me an opportunity to show my potential and race in Formula 2. He has been a great team leader, and I wish him the best in whatever the future may hold! pic.twitter.com/b3zdKnualg
— Logan Sargeant (@LoganSargeant) December 12, 2022
Williams said on Monday that it would announce Capito and Demaison's successors in due course.
Capito - who helmed Volkwagen's motorsport division for several years - could find refuge at Alfa Romeo F1/Sauber, Audi's future affiliate, as the Swiss outfit is now in search of a team principal to replace Ferrari-bound Fred Vasseur, with McLaren F1 boss Andreas Seidl freshly nominated as Sauber Group's CEO.
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