Williams has revealed their 2022 livery for the FW44, but viewers were quick to notice the absence of one historic detail.
In an online event, Williams debuted the new look of their next-generation F1 car, missing their homage to three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna for the first time in 27 years.
Senna was killed in a crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix while driving for Williams. In tribute, since 1995, the Senna ‘S’ logo has featured on every Williams challenger.
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Team principal Jost Capito explained that this was a conscious decision from the team to use the F1’s new design regulations to progress how they remember and celebrate Senna.
“The decision was that we want to move on in the future,” Capito said after the launch.
“We have a new era, we have a new car. And we refurbished also our museum, and where we have a special area to celebrate Ayrton.
“I think we had to look now in the future and not showing the drivers the ‘S’ all the time they get in the car and being reminded of what happened.
“Now it’s time for the team to move on and be very honourable to Senna and having a very dedicated space in the museum and honour him there.”
Capito said the Ayrton Senna Foundation, founded by Ayrton’s sister Viviane, had not been consulted in the decision to remove the tribute from the livery.
However, Williams will now boost their support for the organisation that helps empower Brazilian children, believing this to be a more beneficial way to carry Senna’s legacy.
“We didn’t have a consultation with the family but we are working with the foundation and we will increase our effort with the foundation and work on how we can to support the Senna foundation more,” Capito said.
“I think more people benefit from this. If we can help people, especially through the foundation, I think that’s a very good programme. But it has to be still finally defined.”
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