Williams Contemplate Stock Market Flotation

Williams F1 is said to be considering a stock market flotation. The team, who are the third most successful team in F1 ever, last won a race in 2004 and are contemplating the move to help secure the long-term ownership of the company and to help it maintain it’s independence. Should Williams go ahead with the proposals, they would be the first Formula One team to list on the stock market.

It is reported that the flotation proposal would see the existing shareholders sell down their shares. It is believed that co-founders Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head hold 65pc and 25pc of the business respectively, with Austrian investor Toto Wolff holding the remaining 10pc.

“For some years I have been considering how to secure the long-term ownership of Williams such that it will remain true to the aims with which Patrick and I established the team back in 1977,” Sir Frank Williams explained.

“I have concluded that the option which will best achieve this is to broaden our shareholder base with public shareholders, while having a stable core of long-term investors closely involved in the running of the team. This will ensure stability, good governance and will, I believe, enable us to attract and retain the best people and partners.

“Patrick, Toto and I are therefore examining this option closely and, if the environment is propitious, we may act in the near future.”