F1 News: Williams Co-Founder Reveals How Lewis Hamilton Was Blocked From Team
Patrick Head, the influential co-founder of Williams, has disclosed that BMW's intervention prevented a potential early-career move of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton to Williams.
Key Takeaways:
- During a key juncture in 2004, Lewis Hamilton, experiencing friction with McLaren, explored the option of joining Williams, diverging from his established career path.
- Williams, under the guidance of Frank Williams, sought BMW's support to facilitate Hamilton's switch, but BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen denied the necessary financial backing.
- Sir Frank Williams was notably frustrated by BMW's decision, recognising Hamilton's immense potential, indicative of the missed opportunities and strategic decisions in Formula 1 team management.
Patrick Head, the co-founder of Williams and a key figure in Formula 1, revealed an intriguing chapter in the early career of Lewis Hamilton. This insight provides a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes negotiations and decisions that shape the trajectories of Formula 1 drivers.
Hamilton, who eventually made his mark with McLaren and later with Mercedes, faced a significant crossroads in 2004. A disagreement with McLaren regarding his progression from the Formula 3 Euro Series to GP2 led to a tense situation, with McLaren's then-CEO Martin Whitmarsh threatening to cut Hamilton's funding. In response, Hamilton and his father Anthony approached Williams, seeking new opportunities.
Sir Patrick Head recalled the critical moment, stating:
"They rang up and said: 'Can we come and see you?'
"And they came in and said 'Ron Dennis [McLaren team boss at the time] has dropped us'."
Seizing the moment, Frank Williams reached out to BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen for support in bringing Hamilton to the team. However, Theissen's refusal to provide financial assistance left Williams unable to secure Hamilton's services, a decision that Frank Williams found deeply frustrating.
Reflecting on the episode, Head remarked:
“And I think Mario said they weren’t prepared to provide any support and we weren’t in a position financially where we could finance his racing, much to Frank’s annoyance.
"He could have had Lewis in a Williams."