Williams F1 team purchased by investment firm Dorilton Capital

Williams F1 team has been sold to the US-based investment firm Dorilton Capital. The team, who have been under tremendous financial pressure, was put up for sale in May 2020 and have finally found a buyer.

The team was co-founded in 1977 by Sir Frank Williams and Sir Patrick Head and have won nine constructors’ titles and seven drivers’ championships. Their peak came in the 1980s and 1990s with champions in Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Damon Hill. Williams’ most recent title was won by Canadian Jacques Villeneuve in 1997.

“This is the end of an era for Williams as a family-owned team, but we know it is in good hands,” deputy team principal Claire Williams, and daughter of Sir Frank Williams said.

We believe we are the ideal partner for the company due to our patient investment style

– Matthew Savage

A Williams team statement said, “This marks the beginning of an exciting new era in the history of Williams, which with its new owner is well positioned to capitalise upon the sweeping rule changes coming into Formula 1 with the new Concorde Agreement.”

Chairman of Dorilton Capital, Matthew Savage said, “We are delighted to have invested in Williams and we are extremely excited by the prospects for the business. We believe we are the ideal partner for the company due to our flexible and patient investment style, which will allow the team to focus on its objective of returning to the front of the grid.

The buyers have acknowledged the importance of British culture to the team’s history, and have announced they will continue to race under the Williams name and will remained headquartered in Grove, England.

Williams are the third oldest and second most successful team in the sport. The former British team will now be the second US-owned team after Haas.