WilliamsF1 co-founder - Patrick Head calls it a day

[Raptor22]

Patrick Head has done a lot for F1 and Williams over the years but his stubborn nature has resulted in a lot of conflict within the team. A difficult character indeed but one that was sorely needed at Williams in the 80's.
I think Williams F1 would be better off if he had stepped aside earlier.

[donskar]

He was one of the best of the second tier of F1 engineers. He had a lot of success, but his day is past and his departure will probably be for the best.

[Richard]

To be fair to him, he did design a WDC and WCC car in 1980 when the design of a car was much more down to an individual than it is now with the huge design teams.

He was also led the team to a WCC in 186 and WDC+WCC in 1987 when Frank Wiliams was out of action.

He was the TD in the 90s when Williams won 5 WCC and 4 WDC (with 4 different drivers).

Who else has such a strong record? Brawn & Newey perhaps?

The Williams team led by Head & Frank Williams revolutionised F1 in the 80s and 90s, to say either of the pair was second rate underestimates that achievement.

[axle]

Not before time. Him poking his nose into other peoples' jobs over the past ten or fifteen years has been a big part of Williams's decline. Unless funding comes in next season though, and not from Sutil or PDVSA, I can't see anything other than the end in a couple of seasons.

And you know all this for a fact yes?
Frank is as much to blame as Patrick for the decline as they both refused to dilute their ownership but then that's it isn't it - it's their team, not ours. If they want to manage it into a coffin it's up to them.

I think the clean sheet back office and clean sheet car (new engine requires this) will present them with an opportunity to rise again. Just a shame they won't have invested in a driver capable. None of the names in the frame inspire, now Kimi is with Lotus.

The game has changed a lot since they both started. When you look back at the old video's it's amazing to think that was GP racing back then...the pinnacle of motorsport. Now it's it's like launching a satellite into orbit each time a car goes out. It needs different skills. I can see why F1 wouldn't appeal to Patrick anymore...happy retirement, well earned.

[PlatinumZealot]

Not before time. Him poking his nose into other peoples' jobs over the past ten or fifteen years has been a big part of Williams's decline. Unless funding comes in next season though, and not from Sutil or PDVSA, I can't see anything other than the end in a couple of seasons.

And you know all this for a fact yes?
Frank is as much to blame as Patrick for the decline as they both refused to dilute their ownership but then that's it isn't it - it's their team, not ours. If they want to manage it into a coffin it's up to them.

I think the clean sheet back office and clean sheet car (new engine requires this) will present them with an opportunity to rise again. Just a shame they won't have invested in a driver capable. None of the names in the frame inspire, now Kimi is with Lotus.

The game has changed a lot since they both started. When you look back at the old video's it's amazing to think that was GP racing back then...the pinnacle of motorsport. Now it's it's like launching a satellite into orbit each time a car goes out. It needs different skills. I can see why F1 wouldn't appeal to Patrick anymore...happy retirement, well earned.

Kimi with Lotus? What? Did I fall into a coma? wha.. what?
source?

[Saribro]

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/2722 ... s-renault/
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/ ... 12858.html
the rest of the internets..

[manchild]

Head was one of the reasons why Williams are in constant decline for the last 13 years. Whenever they found strong partners or brilliant technical people Head managed to piss them off. It started with Newey and found its cataclysmic show down with BMW. f Frank had pushed out Head in the nineties Williams would still be a top team instead of an eternal mid fielder with a brief interuptions by the BMW shot in the arm. Thats the way I see it and I bet I'm not far off the mark.

Hear hear, let's listen to Dr. Mario Theissen's self-appointed PR.

What are you on about? That was one of the most successful cooperations in the history of F1, that started with Newey during nineties. They've won 1992 WDC&WCC, 1993 WDC&WCC, 1994 WCC, 1996 WDC&WCC, 1997 WDC&WCC, while being runner-up in seasons when Benteon won one WCC and one double title, including 1991 when they lost by some bad luck. They've ruled almost a whole decade before Renault withdrew from F1 and Newey went to Mclaren.

Head is a true engineer, thinker and inventor. Not just another CAD nerd who copies car that won previous championship like most of the newcomers do.

But I'm not surprised. There is no more space for creative engineers left in F1. Chapman wouldn't be able to show any of his talent if he was to design F1 cars under current regulations frozen and limited to technology which is quarter of the century old. FIA cut in the root most of things Head has developed and brought to F1. Superior active suspension, first reliable sequential gearbox, ABS, CTV. Who know what he and other engineers could have developed by now if their hand's weren't tied by FIA.

The way things are moving, I wouldn't be surprised if we get Justin Bieber F1 team (JB01) with car designed by Justin Timberlake & Lady Gaga. Anything for the publicity, money and TV ratings. That is why F1 sucks noways and why Head is leaving. There is no s of sport left in it, and no s of space for genuine engineers. Once Newey leaves, F1 will turn completely into sitcom for facebook brainwashed teens.

[CMSMJ1]

^^ This ^^

Nicely put squire.

[FW17]

Lets not forget fly wheel KERS and the ultra small gearbox this year.

Head was always about engineering. F1's aero tweaking with an endless trial and error combination will obviously be of no challenge to him.

But sad to see him leave when the team has just had a bad year.

[PlatinumZealot]

Lets not forget fly wheel KERS and the ultra small gearbox this year.

Head was always about engineering. F1's aero tweaking with an endless trial and error combination will obviously be of no challenge to him.

But sad to see him leave when the team has just had a bad year.

That gearbox was not Head, it was Sam Michael If I remember.
Besides, I doubt Head is capable of those types "modern engineering," if you know what I mean.

Just like My Boss at work, Head's experience allows him to understand and approve certain designs and concepts that I make, but he is not a guy you put in front of a CAD computer to make your F-duct or your EBD.. The guys that are more adept at doing those in their 40's and younger... Head is from an older time; I would be impressed if he still remembers any equations. In present times A guy like head is the level headed decision maker rather than the creative genius.

[munudeges]

And you know all this for a fact yes?

For those of us who have watched what has gone on at Williams, yes. They've had technical directors, heads of aerodynamics and other technical people through there who have ultimately been politically pushed out by Patrick Head still being around. As far as I'm aware Patrick Head hasn't designed a Williams car or been really responsible for anything to do with them, but ultimately he was still calling the shots. That kind of environment is toxic.

[PlatinumZealot]

An irrelevant head?



http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson ... ams_f.html

"But when I have a look at what specifically I can do to assist Mike Coughlan and (chief operations officer) Mark Gillan and (head of aerodynamics) Jason Somerville, I came to the conclusion that it isn't really enough to justify me carrying on doing the same thing."

[johnny99]

I find it difficult to read some of the negative comments on such a fine forum. I have been following F1 for 30 years, and I can tell tell you that Patrick Head has been a massive influence to Willians and F1. There is no way Williams would have reached there achivements without him, fact. Maybe he should have gone a little earlier, but that's no reason to be disrespectfull to a great and dedicated engineer

John

[Richard]

+1

You have to judge him on his record, and it is a record that is integral to how F1 became the awesome sport it is today.

[axle]

And you know all this for a fact yes?

For those of us who have watched what has gone on at Williams, yes. They've had technical directors, heads of aerodynamics and other technical people through there who have ultimately been politically pushed out by Patrick Head still being around. As far as I'm aware Patrick Head hasn't designed a Williams car or been really responsible for anything to do with them, but ultimately he was still calling the shots. That kind of environment is toxic.

Cobblers. Yes the funding and management hasn't been "right" or they would still be winning, but to say it's all Head's fault is preposterous.