This past Sunday the motorsports world lost one of its greatest legends Sir Frank Williams. There have been multifarious amounts of famous drivers in F1 who have worked with the Briton over the years,  during the media day press conference in Jeddah, the most recent of those drivers George Russell, Valtteri Bottas, Lance Stroll, and Nicholas Latifi spoke about how special Sir Frank was to them. While the former Williams team owner made the racing world richer with his contributions and hard work, it was his resilient character that made a lasting impression on those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Current Williams driver George Russell remembers Sir Frank as not only a British motorsport icon but as an inspiration who after facing misfortune from his accident motivated and drove the Williams team to become one of the most successful teams in F1.

"I’ll remember Frank with fond memories, I remember going to meet him for the first time feeling rather nervous back in 2018, but within seconds, to be honest, you recognise how warm-hearted he is and the sort of personality he has,” said Russell.

"He was such a great human being and so well loved by everybody in the team and the wider community of Formula 1 as well – so he’ll always be a legend within Formula 1."

As Russell heads into the Saudia Arabia GP weekend with a heavy heart after Sir Frank’s passing,  the Williams driver says he and the team are determined to pay their respects and honor the legend through racing.   

"It’s with a great sadness that we head to Saudi Arabia this weekend following the passing of Sir Frank, but as a team, we are determined to pay our respects and honour him in the way we know he would want us to; by racing."

"In terms of British sport, Sir Frank was an incredibly important figure. Not just because of the adversity he faced, but because of the success that the team went on to achieve following his accident.

"He was somebody that so many people looked up to. He would be wheeled around the whole factory and there was this presence in the room whenever he was around.

"It motivated the team to really get on with their jobs and be so dedicated, because of the man he was."

Teammate Nicholas Latifi, who joined Williams in 2019, spoke about Sir Frank’s presence at the factory even when he was no longer the team principal.   

"Every time I was at the factory I would bump into him there as he was practically living at the factory, you could always feel his presence and one of the fond memories, or one of the things I would always see… he’d always have his daily bit of fresh air outside the front of the factory and he’d speak, exchanging words with the employees,” replied Latfi.

"And even though his involvement was not much in the last few years, you could still feel the presence he was, and the symbol he was to everyone on the team. I think we’re going to be racing especially in his memory and for everything he’s contributed to this team and this sport."

Valterri Bottas made his F1 debut with the Williams team in 2013. The Mercedes driver spoke about Sir Frank’s charisma, hunger for success, and strong passion for racing as the key factor behind his leadership at Williams. Bottas also expressed immense gratitude for Sir Frank who he credits for starting his F1 career.  

“Frank, I remember definitely as a friend, as a character that motivated a lot of people.

"When I was there the whole factory was racing for Frank because it was his passion and his ambition to have the team be successful and at the top of the grid.

“He was the guy who gave me the opportunity to get into Formula 1, so without Frank giving me the opportunity to show myself, I wouldn’t be sitting on this seat right now.

“I’m going to miss him but I’m not going to be the only one. He was a nice guy and a legend that everyone loved.”

Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll who raced for Williams from 2017 to 2018, also praised Sir Frank for giving him his first F1 opportunity, like Bottas. Stroll also recalled what an extraordinary man Sir Frank was on and off track. 

"He gave me an opportunity to drive for his team and it was the beginning of my journey in Formula 1. Without that opportunity, I don’t know where my career would have led to," stated Stroll.

Stroll also recalled what an extraordinary man Sir Frank was speaking about his genuine character both on and off-track and how he will be greatly missed.

"It was a very sad day for motorsport, for Formula 1. Frank was a legend of the sport. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with him off the track as well. A great guy, great sense of humour, and an incredible competitor, he was always very competitive and carried his passion for Formula 1 until his last breath.”

"I think just we’re going to miss him and I was fortunate enough as well to spend time at Williams working with him and his Williams family, so my thoughts are with his family. It’s definitely a big loss for Formula 1; we’re going to miss him very much."