Williams’ Ayrton Senna tribute logo is missing from the FW44, with the team saying that it is time for them to “move on” from this.
Sennawas tragically killed in a crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix while driving for Williams, so since 1995, the Senna S logo has featured on every Williams challenger as a tribute to the three-time World Champion, that is until now.
In an online event Williams launched their2022 liverywhich will cover the FW44, but it was spotted that the Senna tribute was not there.
Team boss Jost Capito has explained that this was a conscious decision from the team to move on at the start of a new era in F1, instead continuing to remember Senna’s legacy through different means.
The challengers have been designed to all-new regulations for the2022 season, with Formula 1 looking to create closer racing and more overtaking opportunities.
More shots of the new Williams#FW44livery
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“The decision was that we want to move on in the future,” Capito explained to reporters after the launch of the FW44 livery.
“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.”
明白解释说,塞纳基金会founded by Ayrton’s sister Viviane, had not been consulted in the decision to remove the tribute from the livery.
However, Williams are now looking for ways to increase their involvement with the organisation that supports children in their development in Brazil, believing that this will be a more beneficial initiative.
“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 explained.
“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.”