F1 | Dorilton keeps a low profile, but “they are not hiding”
Simon Roberts clarifies Williams' new buyer's low profile and lack of public appearances by stating that Dorilton is currently trying to understand the Formula 1 business.
Following Williams' strategy, the team was sold to Dorilton Capital, an investment fund based in New York.
After the team's sale, the Williams family, including its founder Sir Frank Williams and his daughter Claire, who managed the F1 team on a daily basis, decided to step back and leave the circus.
Williams' change of ownership came at a “dark time” as the English team found themselves at the bottom of the championship rankings for almost three consecutive years.
Simon Roberts, who had joined the team as its F1 Managing Director since this year, has been appointed to the role of Team Principal following the Tuscan Grand Prix, when Deputy Team Principal, Claire Williams, left.
Some Dorilton associates were present at Mugello to meet Williams' members, but there have not yet been any public appearances after the team's takeover.
At first glance it would seem that the Dorilton members want to keep a low profile, but Roberts explained in an interview with Motorsport: “Matthew Savage [Dorilton Capital Chairman] was in Mugello, he joined the team,
“He brought one of his other board members and one of his senior chief of staff. So, they were there.
“They weren’t doing interviews but that was their first foray into Formula 1, and I expect we will see them in the future. They are not hiding.”
The intent and, at the same time, the challenge of the new Williams buyer is to keep the team in step with the other Formula 1 teams. Roberts is also confident in the decision outlined for the team's long-term future.
“They’re just trying to right now understand everything they can about the business,” Roberts continued.
“They’re super-smart and really nice and easy people to work with, so it’s great having them around.
“They just come and get involved in everything they can. They obviously were in Mugello, which was great for them and we’re just in that budget setting, looking at investment plans, trying to figure out effectively what’s the first thing to do.
“We don’t want to make mistakes, but everything we do is focused on improving our performance in the long-term.
“There’s no quick fix here. We’re in it for the long haul, and so are Dorilton.”
In addition, the role of team principal that has been entrusted to Roberts is only on an interim basis and he said he has yet to decide whether to fill the position permanently in the future.
“It’s something we haven’t really focused on, to be honest,
“The whole sale process happened much faster than any of us expected and then Claire made her decision, which was a shock to all of us.
“The most important thing was to retain continuity. I’m really, really pleased to be asked to step-up, I really enjoy it and hopefully I can continue to do it for longer.
“But we haven’t even discussed it. It’s not the top of my list, and it’s not the top of theirs.
“There’s plenty of work to be done and we’re all focused on that and focused on moving the team forwards.”
