Sir Frank Williams to be honoured at Silverstone

The Classic, which will take place from August 26 to 28, will honour Sir Williams at his home Grand Prix circuit after he passed away last November aged 79.

Celebrating his legacy, the two blue-riband Masters Racing Legends showdowns for iconic 3-litre Grand Prix cars from 1966 through to 1985 are being dedicated in honour of Sir Frank Williams and titled: The Frank Williams Memorial Trophy for Masters Racing Legends. 

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Adding to the special tribute, an iconic FW07, loaned by Williams Heritage, will be on public display throughout the three-day festival among the Yokohama Legends in Silverstone’s International Paddock.

(Credit: Classic Silverstone)

Though the Williams family is no longer at the helm of the Formula One team post its sale to Dorilton Capital in 2020, Sir Frank’s children are supporting this tribute at a venue that “meant so much to him”.

They said: “For so many reasons Silverstone was very, very special to our father and thus we, as a family, welcome the very fitting celebrations of dad’s extraordinary life being planned at The Classic this summer.

“As we all know, dad was always an out-and-out racer and that was the driving force which stirred his soul throughout the good and less good times.

“Memories of him at Silverstone always epitomise both his spirit and the unwavering passion he had for F1 and, we’re sure, a little bit of that passion will now live on at The Classic.”     

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Frank Williams

Nick Wigley, CEO of The Classic promoter Goose Live Events, is “honoured” to be paying tribute.             

He said: “In so many ways Sir Frank was an inspiration to us all. His incredible tenacity and determination to overcome adversity and his deep-set patriotism are just two of his stand-out virtues.

“We are celebrating the Best of British at The Classic this summer and Sir Frank certainly shines out under that banner.

“He was a truly remarkable man and it’s only fitting to be honouring him at Silverstone.”

The tribute to Williams adds to an “unprecedented” Formula One presence at The Classic in 2022.

Frank Williams

There will also be 20 retro races includes double-header showdowns for both Masters Racing Legends and HGPCA Pre ’66 Grand Prix Cars as well as track demos on all three days from Ignition GP bringing back the awesome shrills of high-revving V8, V10 and V12 engines from late eighties and nineties.

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 Off-track, festival goers will be treated to a world exclusive as all seven of Lewis Hamilton’s title winning cars are displayed together for the very first time and a not-to-be-missed collection of the latest generation Formula One racers will also be on show at The Classic.   

For more information, or tickets, visit: silverstone.co.uk/events/the-classic

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This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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