Describing her resolve to restore the team to its early 1990s heyday, she
said: “I have grown up in the sport and have learnt the ropes from one of Formula
One’s legendary team principals [her father, Sir Frank], and as a
result I feel well equipped for this new challenge.”
Her elder brother Jonathan also works for Williams, while her boyfriend Andrew
Murdoch operates as race engineer for lead driver Pastor Maldanado, who
draws in £29 million a year in sponsorship from the Venezuelan government.
Williams have endured a difficult start to the season, failing to secure a
single point from the first two races, but that situation may not endure for
long. Claire has expressed a vision for the team to win the constructors’
title again by 2016.
While constrained by increasing physical infirmity Sir Frank, who was
paralysed by a road accident 28 years ago, is planning to attend his first
grand prix of the campaign in Bahrain next month.
Claire’s elevation marks the latest in a series of management shake-ups at
Williams, after the exit last year of chairman Adam Parr and the departure
this winter of executive director Toto Wolff to Mercedes.