The jubilation and sorrow Williams experienced in its 2021 F1 recovery

It was a season of highs and lows for the famous British team in 2021, from sealing a hard-earned eighth in the championship to the loss of founder Sir Frank Williams. Team boss Jost Capito explains the emotional rollercoaster Williams experienced on the road to recovery

Luke Smith Dec 22, 2021, 2:28 PM

“If you need to compromise my race to help Nicky, do it. Prioritise Nicky.”

The radio message from George Russell after the early-race chaos in August’s Hungarian Grand Prix was a sign of the breakthrough moment he knew was within Williams’s grasp.

Nicholas Latifi sat a heady third following a red flag for the Turn 1 crashes and some tyre mix-ups off the restart. Russell had also battled into the points, but knew the bigger chance lay ahead for his Canadian teammate. While both would go on to score points in Hungary, acting as the latest major step in Williams’s revival and reconstruction, there were more ups – and downs – to come as it finally ditched its ‘basement team’ tag after three difficult years.