Building A Dynasty At Williams With Sir Patrick Head | Beyond The Grid | Official F1 Podcast

This week we welcome F1 royalty onto the show: Sir Patrick Head, co-founder of Williams and an engineering legend. After going into business with Frank Williams in the late 70s, Patrick helped build one of the greatest teams in history, his engineering acumen leading to world championships aplenty. He speaks about that journey, including what it was like to work with Frank, how he responded to Frank’s life-changing car accident, what he looked for in the drivers that shaped Williams and much more. And as you might expect, there are plenty of brilliant anecdotes!
Key topics in the episode:
9:47 - Signing Mansell in 85
11:44 - Working with Honda and developing the Honda Turbo
26:48 - His close relationship with Frank Williams
30:47 - How the dynamic with Frank changed after his accident
36:46 - The difficulties of the 86 season when Frank wasn't around
42:36 - Piquet vs Mansell and a question of contracts
50:17 - On other Williams drivers starting with Alan Jones
53:50 - Carlos Reutemann
58:00 - Brazil 82 with Keke Rosberg
01:07:25 - Differences between Keke and his son Nico
01:08:26 - Nigel Mansell announcing he was leaving at Monza in 92 and why Damon Hill was drafted in
01:17:02 - The showdown with Schumacher at Adelaide 1994
01:20:35 - Not renewing Damon Hill's contract for 97
01:24:55 - On Jacques Villeneuve and why they chose an IndyCar driver
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[@geraldoveloso7978]

Just a reminder: The Italian Court of Appeal, on 13 April 2007, stated the following in the verdict numbered 15050: "It has been determined that the accident was caused by a steering column failure. This failure was caused by badly designed and badly executed modifications. The responsibility of this falls on Patrick Head, culpable of omitted control." Even being found responsible for Senna's accident, Head was not arrested because in Italy, the statute of limitation for manslaughter is 7 years and 6 months, and the final verdict was pronounced 13 years after the accident

[@phantom213]

Yes, that's why they barely talked about Senna. Rest in peace, Ayrton.

[@venus263]

Is it over already? It felt like a minute. This is one podcast I could listen to over and over. Thanks Patrick.

[@GenoSalvati]

Need a part 2 - Patrick worked for another 15 years on F1 after 1996.

[@paulconnelly4050]

I’m still listening, don’t tell me he doesn’t talk about Montoya?

[@mgers75]

need a part two. they discussed the rise, but not the fall which is. also interesting and worth discussing

[@ayram_exe8437]

Adrian Newey, Patty Lowe, Patrick Head, Frank Williams =Dominating

[@suvapillay9358]

Small correction, "Paddy" Lowe.

[@Daniele18901]

They killed Ayrton

[@NicotineRosberg]

Patty Lowe.. sounds delicious 🤤

[@Durptankgobrrr]

@@NicotineRosberg lion patty lol

[@mickrofone]

Paddy Lowe will always be in Frank Dernie’s shadow

[@tezf4379]

Thoroughly enjoyed the interview with Sir Patrick Head. Wonderful stories and anecdotes. So many experiences that this podcast could have spanned over several weeks. It would have been great if Sir Patrick could have also spoken about the relationship between Williams and BMW Motorsport in the early 2000s and working with Dr Theissen. Sir Patrick is one of the greats.

[@The_ZeroLine]

I really wanted to hear about that too.

[@tydawidowski6245]

Needs part 2!!! Thank you Patrick 👍 as a Williams fan. Thank you Tom for interview

[@gregoryshtevensh6868]

Now this is one I’ve looked forward to!

[@2021_world_champ]

Hello Fred Herbert

[@amysanders2297]

Part 2 please - Want to hear Patricks views on Montoya, Ralf Schumacher and the BMW years

[@tonybunker2804]

😅😅 1:04:49 😊😅😊😊😊😊😅

[@tonybunker2804]

😊😊😅😅😅

[@worthysworld]

Absolutely fantastic episode, highlight of my week every time a new episode is released. Brilliant hearing all the old stories, especially going back to 70s, 80s, 90s when things were so different. Loves the Alan Jones stories

[@michaelpashut4763]

Piquet was an incredible guy

[@Jared-C]

I'm about halfway through this interview, and my hats off to you guys. This is wonderful.

[@the_gilligan]

What an INCREDIBLE story teller Sir Patrick Head is. I could listen to this man talk about watching paint dry at the Williams factory back in 1990 haha! This is easily one of my favorite podcast episodes of all time!

[@youssefhammad1178]

Loved this podcast. I feel that you need to invite him again. It would be great to find out more about his views about Prost & Senna (barely covered)

[@paulconnelly4050]

The legacy of Patrick Head and Frank Williams is what has made F1 what it is today. Totally spellbinding interview, a genius. Jenson and Nico have said Patrick was fierce, though you would never have thought it listening to him here. He tells it like it only happened yesterday. Another brilliant Beyond the Grid.

[@NipponStiqqyPaint]

Why does the thumbnail look like I’m about to get yelled at by my dad

[@cliffordbody4516]

listening to sir p i cant help but think the whole imola day plays heavy on his heart ,,,wonderfull very personal interview priceless

[@182Craigie]

Defiantly need a part 2 of Patrick

[@rmsscruz1980]

Great podcast!!! Missing Frank Dernie, Nelson Piquet and Allister Caldwell

[@davidorama6690]

We need more garagistes and fewer corporations in F1

[@dipling.pitzler7650]

PS: I would still like to know why Senna left the track in a straight line with Titanium sparks flying and the car bottoming out on the tarmac when there was nothing wrong with the car.We need a Part 2 please!

[@lesliejames9404]

IT was a broken steering column caused by cutting it apart, and welding an extension. The extension weld suffered metal fatigue and broke as he entered Tamborello.

[@phantom213]

@@lesliejames9404 exactly.

[@fernandomanzanares5555]

Yes! We can't bring Clark or Chapman back to life, so we need to get as much from the great names of the past as possible. Looking at the summary, I can't believe I'll say this, but it looks like I will miss some more recent stuff; I would have loved some bits about Montoya, and a view on the team's decline past 2003. Well, maybe Patrick didn't want to discuss those. I'm certain what it's there will be great to hear!

[@mateuszmazurek7991]

like we can't back Ayrton to life

[@SiVlog1989]

I remember Jackie Stewart when talking about the FW12C from 1989, about how refreshing it was to see a car designed to allow the driver to drive the car harder as they were more comfortable than they would be with other designs (like the Adrian Newey designed March 881 from 1988, which Jackie Stewart also drove, but found that he was getting foot cramps because of there being no foot rest to speak of, in other words, there was nowhere to put the left foot other than the cluch pedal, leaving it only a matter of time before the clutch burnt out). He predicted (words to the effect of) that the car would win races, and it did

[@lx10]

No Imola 1994?

[@zaxosz5063]

That would be self incriminating

[@justme-hh4vp]

He doesn't want to bore us with the details

[@geraldoveloso7978]

Just a reminder: The Italian Court of Appeal, on 13 April 2007, stated the following in the verdict numbered 15050: "It has been determined that the accident was caused by a steering column failure. This failure was caused by badly designed and badly executed modifications. The responsibility of this falls on Patrick Head, culpable of omitted control." Even being found responsible for Senna's accident, Head was not arrested because in Italy, the statute of limitation for manslaughter is 7 years and 6 months, and the final verdict was pronounced 13 years after the accident

[@govand7]

@@zaxosz5063The state of limitations had already passed by then; he can’t be indicted or tried for anything

[@Looshbaby]

just fantastic, what a wonderful ride

[@raufshamsuddin4063]

A great listen! Sure hope there is a part 2.

[@TheCorrectionist1984]

We need part two of this guy

[@willedgcumbe4825]

Moral of the story: if Patrick Head knew you, you're probably deceased! Epic interview as always BTG

[@smatchimo645]

Sounds about right for Williams then, except maybe these days they can't tamper with the car footage as easily at least

[@jgagnier]

And then, there's Frank Williams, still alive and... well, not kicking.

[@bgsims]

Great convo BUT it is unbelievable that Ralf Schumacher and JP Montoya days were not mentioned.

[@user-nq8tr3do3f]

Always thank you for amazing Podcast !!!

[@pedromota8763]

Great podcast. Didn’t even have time to talk about Alain Prost, one of the world campions with Williams. Definitely need Patrick Head Part 2

[@davidorama6690]

Some terrific words about Hill and a Schumi.

[@JuanRodriguez-km9hl]

Amazing show Priceless stories

[@hardfer83]

Is this the best podcast of my life? For sure!

[@scottmeredith3359]

Just finished, and there was only one brief mention of Adrian Newey. Would have loved to hear more about what happened between them... can't help but wonder how interesting that would have been if TC wasn't so afraid of asking "negative" questions. Pretty interesting regardless.

[@mkapo8509]

Adrian said in other podcast, he wanted to move up, and he couldn't replace Patrick whose position was next promotion, so they "worked" out to become equal partners, but do to how they ran Williams (Patrick Frank) over tea sandwiches, they kinda ignored Newey, it happened few times he bought it up and it still continued , they signed JV after testing without consolting and after that he moved on. McLaren was similar where Ron was ye you will succeed me but no time line, and he didn't want to be in limbo and moved on to Jaguar / Red bull. IF I remember correctly it was in royal auto motive club podcast.

[@tourmaline07]

Agreed - I'd have liked to know more about Williams in the 2000s too and their relationship with BMW which didn't work out too. And I'm really curious to know what happened in 2018 and the shambles of pre-season testing in 2019 where they didn't even have a car built and ready for it but I'll be willing to wait for another 20 years for that ;)

[@61zoom61]

Absolutely fantastic interview. All those stories are in sure the tip of the iceberg.

[@martinwobbly9230]

Amazing listen Patrick Head is a legend and comes across much nicer than the media would have you believe. This guy was in the middle of almost ALL the great stories of the 80s and 90s. I laughed aloud at least 3 times - stories from the heart with F Bombs what's not to love! Thanks Tom and Patrick best Beyond the Grid yet!

[@leewright8094]

What a great duo was Frank and Patrick

[@erikroelinkcitizen2302]

Wow what a eye opener is mister Patrick a reaal f1 hero.

[@CHRIS_HITCHCOCK]

I’ve listened to everyone of the BTG podcasts and enjoyed most of them. I do find the adverts to be too intrusive though. The main problem is that they are too long. Anything over 30 seconds is unnecessary.

[@antonymaussen4072]

It's the self advertising that is more atrocious. If anything I've been repelled to buying any audio or razor products because my eyes rolls at the artificial enthusiasm. It's painful. Harrys, eugh even the name makes me curl.

[@CHRIS_HITCHCOCK]

@@antonymaussen4072 also, I pay for KZbin premium so I don’t have adverts.

[@pedroalmeida5554]

Loved the podcast, unfortunately too many things were left behind, things such: ayrton senna, how it was its time with the time, the accident and the after period. How it was nurturing Frank Dernie, Ross Brawn, Adrian Newey and Paddy Lowe? Which are his favorite Williams and opponents cars? Which f1 designer impressed him the most, Colin, Barnard, Murray...? What do he thinks about banning active suspension back for 94 season, what about bring it now? No words about Prost? What about F1 present and future, what does he think of totto and Christian? And what about Lewis and Max battle, does he agree with the cost cap? So many things to ask him, it could have a part b and c. It really felt too short

[@GenoSalvati]

Yes, didn't Paddy Lowe write the software for the active suspension? I think he deserves at least a mention from Patrick Head, since that software won a world championship.

[@kerthunder]

Finally the truth about Damian Hill departure from Williams ... fascinating riveting and excellent interview .. thanks Patrick & Tom

[@ahadahsan1]

1:17:05 for all Michael Schumacher fans

[@hemidenis]

I would ask to Patrick what he truly feels when he is in front looking at the Williams FW15C

[@markwilliams5540]

Brilliant I really enjoyed that podcast totally transfixed listening to one of my heroes Sir Patrick.

[@motorsportfan3202]

well, this is amazing.

[@Mogzilla86]

Awesome! Hope he talks about Mansell

[@ErikGPL]

@@G.D.goodwill According to Claire's BTG they were also quite fond of Mansell if I'm not mistaken.

[@simonwolfie2]

Amazing

[@andrewhrichardson]

Great interview. But Would have liked a question about his copying of the Lotus 79. Just to rile him up a bit.

[@aBetterMove]

I enjoyed your conversation :) If Frank is Tigger, I guess that would make Nigel Eeyore? Sounds like Williams very much operated on trust - can't have been nice to be offered the cold leftovers by Honda, but how much closer would McLaren's golden era have been had they agreed?

[@RIPPERTON]

9:19 the correct English pluralisation of the word Grand Prix. "Grand Prixes" (gran preez) The plural affix is attached to the noun not the adjective. such as some incorrectly say "Grands Prix" Grand Prix is an English adaptation of a French phrase but that doesnt mean we have to use French punctuation and diction.

[@davifernandeslima01]

48:00 ahahahahahaha that piquet story man....LOLOLOL

[@JDAxonn]

Awesome

[@chunder27]

Great stuff about Alan Jones

[@beagle7622]

Alan was always talking about this guy. He was in constant touch . I saw Nelson Piquet in Sydney on the train in Sydney . I said something simple like hello & he did the same the same back . He knew I had recognised him so I just said hello.

[@hallow2195]

Man do be looking fierce in the thumbnail tho

[@sobetajah]

Hi BTG do you chose when to address a person as a Sir, or ask do you ask the person.

[@alessiocarlevaro6934]

Does He live in Sardinia? I can almost hear a sardinian accent in his english, i don't know if it's his personal accent or if i'm looking for it because He said He is there

[@bigg1764]

Love it

[@KR1ae]

One of my childhood heros. Never loved how he was characterized, but one of the greatest for sure! Is there a biography of him like there is from John Barnard?

[@adhvaithaarav7108]

The greatest f1 engineer

[@playststeve8789]

Colin Chapman

[@Caveman76]

John Barnard

[@MrSkeleton131]

Peter McCool

[@MrPoppeyQ]

wish they have subtitle for one with trouble hearing or non english native

[@oftengone]

This is the most underrated show on the F1 channel to me. Figures like Patrick helped make F1 legendary!

[@tommychev350]

Keke Rosberg Please :)

[@srxt6758]

Yeeees

[@zaxosz5063]

1 win champion, everyone else died that year

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

The man behind one of F1's greatest teams. Thank you, Sir Patrick.

[@dipling.pitzler7650]

Sadly Patrick Head did not mention the hilarious episode when while thinking the driver was "not up to speed" he approached Nico Rosberg still sitting in the cockpit with a closed visor PH suddenly teared opened NRs visor and shouted " you are going to be the reason for the downfall of the company!" LOL PS: I would still like to know why Senna left the track with Titanium sparks flying when there was nothing wrong with the car.We need a Part 2 please!

[@oftengone]

10:26 LOL

[@jeannotahossin5927]

Loved it!

[@rjsharma3125]

He has such big hands, he is HULK

[@1970vlad]

He is the guy who designed the FW16, right?

[@sanfordcurtis8242]

Patrick Head is Yer Da’s favourite team boss

[@jfd889]

didn't he change his name to sir richard head?

[@mountainracing2145]

Oh yes, looking at a grumpy man's face for 1h and a half. Content

[@aswinunni01]

The thumbnail looked like thanos ngl

[@dipling.pitzler7650]

"A small flat with a nice big planted terrasse and swimming pool" ?! Lol

[@vascomonteiro2297]

"They need better leadership on the Top and now they have ..." AUCHHHH

[@fabianrocha9924]

Patrick was way ahead of his time

[@youprefercocainee]

patrick head? the guy who approved the new unsafe steering column which got broken at tamburello and killed senna? congrats

[@Paul-fb1em]

Great listen but I feel Sir Patrick sanitized a few comments to the detriment to the actual facts. Still the insights are absolute Gold!

[@ELUSIVEJIM]

Respect Patrick for what he did in F1 but the whole Senna accident and cover up only leaves a very bitter taste. Even now he is trying to make out it was Senna at fault.

[@phantom213]

Yes, it's disgusting. But maybe it makes it more bearable to live with it, so he truly is believing it. It's like a coping mechanism.

[@ligamo]

watch williams master the 2022 rules, and bottas replaces russell and wins WDC

[@vedanshiyer8885]

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves now

[@TheKillingPerfection]

hey bro, this is real life, wake up already

[@CroftVan]

Keep dreaming

[@King1614]

Please complete my life and get Adrian newey on here.

[@piotrkobielus6156]

F1

[@crit-c4637]

Why does he look like he deeply hates his job, in the thumbnail and opening splash?

[@daniels.2720]

Don't you know > thats Patrick smiling...

[@zaxosz5063]

This has to be the most cocky person in the history of BTG. No Senna talk? No imola? No Adrian Newey? No hard questions TC? Patrick just blubbers about himself.

[@mo-g645]

Patrick was whiner then and the same today.

[@andrewgurney6019]

No Senna talk? I wonder why!!

[@markwilliams5540]

Do one

[@BrendyNew]

His name is P. Head 😂😂😂

[@kekepiket9153]

Briliant to hear from Great Patrick Head. Some myths got busted. So Hill and Mansell overpriced themselves.

[@cdname47]

Yeah no bias here of course

[@kekepiket9153]

vice versa aswell. Difficult to know without being in the room with them.

[@bumblebity2902]

Mansell forfeit the offer because of Prost.

[@srxt6758]

They wanted Mansell in the seat for 1993 and were even willing to pay him the ridicilous sum he wanted but when Mansell realised he will partner Prost again he ran away to Indycar because he was afraid of getting beaten again. Prost destroyed him in Ferrari made Mansell look like a midfield driver. There were always stories of Prost getting the team around him but it was only excuses. Considering Mansell was outdriven by DeAngelis for 5 yrs straight its easy to realise how Prost beat Nigel. He was clearly a superior driver. Mansell knew that and went to Indycar. Probably a great move considering winning the Indycar title is better than losing to a frenchman right after you became a world champion.

[@tomwells8093]

@@srxt6758 Completely wrong. I have the entire 90 season on archive and Mansell beat Prost plenty of times. Sometimes by a lot. He had awful reliability and usually happened when he was in a great position. Which never happened to Prost. Ferrari also swapped cars to give Prost the better one whenever necessary. Prost blocked Senna and Mansell from driving the Williams, because Renault wanted him in the car. This was after Mansell and Williams agreed to a pre contract. Eventually Renault and Prost changed their mind and said Mansell can partner him. Meantime Mansell wanted more money (as he was champion then) which Williams didn't agree to, then they offered him a deal very close to what he wanted. He would have accepted but by that time he was told take the smaller pay or we won't hire you. So he had already signed for Indycar (As he lived in Florida). Mansell hated the politics in F1 just like so many other Williams drivers - Montoya, Villeneuve, Jones, Rosberg etc.

[@ryukenhondaraiden252]

400

[@alanlucas501]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@gold333]

Downvote... No questions at all on Senna or FW16????

[@MrSkeleton131]

think dude, why do you think he wouldn't want to talk about that?

[@annonom1058]

Indisputable that he was a brilliant engineer, but, Patrick was largely responsible for Williams downfall. He stifled any technical talent from blossoming within the team.

[@f1pro299]

Michael Schumacher is sure the greatest of all time ❤️

[@8-bitsteve500]

2nd greatest after Jim Clark, yes!

[@ahadahsan1]

Michael is a cheater, that's why Aryton held him by the throat.

[@8-bitsteve500]

@@ahadahsan1 They are both cheats though, and it's spelt Ayrton.

[@daniels.2720]

Debatable, but opinions are that...

[@olgalawyerabogado9642]

Most of best racer drivers and team experts have chosen AYRTON SENNA has the best ever driver. And further more, the class of the person he was lives very little to so many... Shummacher didnt have to deal with him and furthermore, as all the best left F1 for several reasons, he was almost driven alone in the tracks.

[@zaidsiddiqui]

do a podcast with hamilton

[@wayg2195]

The already did

[@justanother67camaro32]

Talked about his dog, fashion and getting rid of plastic. Just saved you an hour.

[@zaidsiddiqui]

@@wayg2195 I'm talking about in 2021

[@MrAykut23]

Senna, who was not only the greatest driver but one of the greatest person's ever, passed away under his watch so we already know that the title sir can be given to arguable ppl but take your "building a dynasty" & go home too

[@Miguel_MS27]

early

[@joseignacioramos5036]

53:50 what a lovely moment of hypocrisy

[@playststeve8789]

A genius but a flawed genius, sadly him passing some shoddy welding on the steering column as "acceptable", ultimately killed poor Ayrton.

[@markwilliams5540]

Haha hilarious wrong

[@DavidGarcia-oi5nt]

So we are back to having such poor sound quality that we are hearing background traffic noise, one step above from doing it in a cafeteria or having Christian Horner's wife and dog do a cameo. Common guys this is the official F1 Podcast this isn't acceptable, you're owned by a media conglomerate yet you can't even do a podcast correctly? Common guys.

[@bumblebity2902]

Both sides should had noise cancelling headphones.

[@8-bitsteve500]

Little tip: Common does not mean "Come on" or "C'mon". it means something totally different.

[@shizukamiho349]

The guy who should have been in jail for killing Senna, meh

[@markwilliams5540]

Your a troll mate , jog on.

[@kunkeiro69]

Senna's widows, always talking nonsense.

[@phantom213]

Yes

[@manishmohan731]

First

[@Miguel_MS27]

no i was