Williams Grand Prix Holdings announced that CLAIRE WILLIAMS will become the deputy team principal of the Williams F1 Team. The newly created position will see Williams work alongside Founder & Team Principal FRANK WILLIAMS in the day to day running and long-term development of the race team. She will take up her new position immediately, while also retaining her commercial director role leading the marketing, communications and sponsorship functions of the business. Williams will continue to be part of the company's board of directors and will be supported by and work in collaboration with the full board (Williams). REUTERS reported if "she does eventually take over from her father as team principal, Williams will not be the first woman to run a F1 outfit." Swiss-based Sauber already has MONISHA KALTENBORN as principal. Williams will effectively be running the team "at those races the principal does not attend" (REUTERS, 3/27). The AP wrote the announcement was planned to be made before the season, "but was delayed after the death of her mother, VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, this month." Frank Williams said the promotion had his wife's blessing and that she "would have been incredibly proud to have seen Claire taking on this position by my side" (AP, 3/28).
