Williams drivers run classic cars on partner day
The Williams F1 Team hosted an action packed Partner Day at Silverstone yesterday as a way of paying tribute to its loyal stable of partners. During the day, Williams ran some of its classic F1 cars, including the championship winning FW08 and FW18.
The event was a chance for friends of Williams F1 to enjoy an exclusive day of access all areas activities and for team personnel to personally thank them for their continued support. It was hosted in Silverstone’s new Wing Complex overlooking the International Pits straight, with guests treated to a drive around the famous circuit in a Renault Sports car by the team’s drivers, a pit-stop challenge, and a full-size Formula One car simulator challenge.
One of the day’s highlights was Williams F1 Development Driver Susie Wolff driving the FW33, her first time at the wheel of a Formula One car. Other highlights included Pastor Maldonado, Bruno Senna and Valtteri Bottas driving two of the most legendary cars in Williams’ history - the FW08 that took Keke Rosberg to the driver’s title in 1983 and the FW18 that saw Damon Hill clinch the championship in 1997.
Executive Director Toto Wolff said, ‘’Today was a tremendous success and I would like to thank all of our partners from across the world for turning out in their hundreds. A team like ours is reliant on a loyal collection of sponsors and we’re lucky to enjoy strong relationships with some fantastic companies.’’
Speaking about her run in the FW33, Susie said; ‘’It was incredible to experience a Formula One car for the first time. I’ve done a lot of simulator work since I joined the team but nothing compares to the exhilaration of driving the real thing. The team did a fantastic job preparing me for today, giving me all the information I needed so that I was always in control despite the damp conditions.’’
