Claire Williams shares why she finds Drive to Survive appearances ‘tough’

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In a hugely significant moment for the sport, the Williams family left Formula 1 following the 2020 Italian Grand Prix. While the iconic team still bears their name, Dorilton Capital are now in charge.

Claire Williams saw this as a necessary sacrifice to secure the team’s future. She was in charge on a day-to-day basis, even though she was technically deputy team principal under her father Frank.

Williams occupied that post from 2013, overseeing both a resurgence and a downfall. They finished third in the constructors’ championship in 2014 and 2015, which remains their best showing since they were runner-up to Ferrari in 2003.

They lost ground in the next couple of years but remained in the top five until a dismal 2018 season. Following the departure of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa, they scored just nine points across two campaigns.

With James Vowles now in charge, Williams remain a long way from their ultimate objectives. But the overall health of the operation looks far greater.

Their former boss is no longer a regular in the paddock, but she did appear as an expert in the latest season of Drive to Survive. The long-running Netflix documentary chronicles the key narratives of each season and features fly-on-the-wall footage and interviews.

Claire Williams says it’s ‘strange’ to scrutinise F1 figures on Drive to Survive

Speaking to Planet F1, Williams recognised the hypocrisy of her Netflix appearances. She’s a little uncomfortable with scrutinising F1 team bosses and drivers, having bristled at the same treatment during her time in the sport.

However, she still views her involvement as a ‘privilege’. She’s always been in favour of a series that has been instrumental in the sport’s growth.

The documentary has run for six seasons so far, and its success has inspired many other sports to try and execute the same concept. Netflix have been gathering material for season seven in recent months.

Not all drivers are supportive, however. World champion Max Verstappen says he ‘hates’ appearing on the show, having previously refused to do so.

“I’m obviously involved with Drive to Survive, which feels a little strange to me as I’m now asked to comment on other people’s actions when I really didn’t enjoy people doing that to me when I was running the team,” Williams said. “So I find that a bit of a tough gig.

“But I feel it’s a privilege to be involved in what’s been an incredibly successful show. I was a keen supporter of it when it first came into the sport, to open the sport’s doors and take fans behind the scenes really showcases what a brilliant sport this is, not just to existing fans, but also new ones.”

Claire Williams on the moment she could barely ‘keep the lights’ on at iconic F1 team

Given her lengthy stint in charge at Grove, Williams has likely fielded multiple offers to return to F1 in some capacity, whether that’s as part of the televised media, a particular team or the sport itself. But she seems content to observe from afar.

That’s not particularly surprising when you consider the exacting toll of her position. Any team boss is the custodian of their operation, but she carried an additional responsibility because of her familial connections.

In 2020, she fought to prevent the team from collapse. Williams says it was difficult to ‘keep the lights on’ as title sponsor ROKiT failed to make scheduled payments, which forced her to scrap the deal with immediate effect.

She may take comfort from the relative stability the team is now enjoying under Vowles. Williams have just attracted Carlos Sainz in what may be their biggest signing since their heyday.