The Williams F1 team is facing backlash after unveiling a special livery ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.
The team is running a throwback to the FW07C, a car used the last time the team raced in the Spanish capital back in 1981. But the history of that car has seen the decision and its timing come under scrutiny on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
That version of Williams car was heavily backed by Saudi Arabian firms after a business trip to the Middle East, including Saudia Airlines as main sponsor.
At one time, the car also carried the name ‘Bin Laden’, after Osama Bin Laden’s father, Mohamed, opted to give his financial support with his construction company.
The team has opted to revive the livery this weekend to mark a return to Madrid and driver Carlos Sainz‘s home race, with its modern-day sponsors including title sponsors Atlassian.
The team said: ‘Drawing on the striking white, green, and navy blue of the Constructors’ Championship-winning 1981 design, the livery showcases how our history compounds into progress.
Williams is running a special livery in Madrid this weekend inspired by its old FWO7C car
The Williams car that inspired the Madrid paint scheme once carried the Bin Laden name
‘Each generation learns from the knowledge, methods and hard-won lessons of the last. From the engineers who developed the FW07C to the teammates preparing the FW48, the same spirit of innovation, precision and teamwork continues to shape Williams.
‘As an icon of the sport with almost 50 years of race-winning pedigree, Williams was a leading force in 1981 when Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann raced at Madrid’s Circuito de Jarama.
‘This week, Williams will return to the Spanish capital with hometown hero Carlos Sainz inspiring a new generation of fans at the brand-new Madring circuit. The beautiful livery design connects those two moments to reflect the strength that comes from building on layers of knowledge year after year.’
But questions were raised over the timing by F1 pundit Will Buxton, a star of the Netflix: Drive to Survive series and now living in the US covering IndyCar for FOX.
Buxton said on his Up To Speed podcast: ‘I love a throwback livery. I’m not convinced the timing of it is wise. In 1979, Williams was sponsored by the Bin Laden family, the father of Osama.
‘It was a huge family and I think Osama had sort of been kicked out of the family at the time, but still Osama bin Laden’s father and [the car] carried Bin Laden name on the side.
‘And so that color scheme has an association with the family that was ultimately – through Osama bin Laden – responsible for 9/11. And this weekend marks 25 years since 9/11.
‘It is a very delicate moment of world history and an incredibly impactful. And I’m not convinced that running that livery, no matter how well-intentioned and how beautiful and how magical that historic livery is.
‘Any other weekend, you’d be like, ‘Oh, that’s pretty cool.’ This weekend, I think, you know, there’s a focus group that’s failed to focus really on that. People will make that link and they will make that association.’
Carlos Sainz is in his home race in Madrid driving for the Atlassian Williams F1 team
While many accused Buxton’s link of being a reach, others agreed the timing was insensitive and unfortunate.
One fan said: ‘Slightly poor timing…. Did no one around the table say “hmm, maybe not this weekend boss…”’, and another added: ‘Probably not the best weekend to run this livery.’
A user wrote: ‘1. Great throwback livery of a beautiful car! 2. The weekend of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 is the worst possible time to run this livery.’
Another added: ‘Run it any other weekend and it removes anyone bringing this up.’
For Williams, the car was clearly about retracing its roots as one of the only F1 teams who last raced in Madrid and also being a championship-winning team.
James Vowles, Team Principal, said as the car was unveiled: ‘Our mission to get back to the front of the grid is drawn from, inspired by and informed by everything we’ve done before.
‘I am incredibly proud to celebrate that through Atlassian’s special livery, connecting the team we were at Jarama with the team we are becoming today through focused collaboration, improved technological innovation and real creativity. The car looks fantastic, and I cannot wait to see it lapping around Madrid.’
