Senior Formula 1 commentator Will Buxton has criticised Williams' decision to run a retro livery at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, citing its association with the 9/11 attacks on their 25th anniversary.
Williams is known for its iconic liveries, and this time they have chosen a design inspired by the 1981 season, when Nelson Piquet won the drivers' title and the team secured the constructors' championship. That year also marked the last time F1 raced in Madrid before Jarama took over, and now the Spanish GP returns to Madrid this season.
However, Buxton pointed out that between 1978 and 1982, Williams received financial backing from the Bin Laden family. Although the livery being used is the 1981 version, which did not feature the Bin Laden name, he believes the association will still be made, especially since Osama bin Laden's father was one of the team's sponsors at the time.
"I love a throwback livery. I'm not convinced the timing of it is wise," Buxton said on the Up to Speed podcast. "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 the Bin Laden name on the side, and so that colour scheme has an association with the family that was ultimately - through Osama bin Laden - responsible for 9/11."
Buxton added that this weekend marks 25 years since the attacks, a delicate and impactful moment in world history. "I'm not convinced that running that livery, no matter how well-intentioned and how beautiful and how magical that historic livery is, [is a good idea]. Any other weekend, you'd be like, 'Oh, that's pretty cool.' This weekend, I think there's a focus group that's failed to focus really on that. People will make that link, and they will make that association."
Public reaction has been mixed. Some agree with Buxton that the livery is unwise for this weekend, but many fans feel enough time has passed to separate the livery from the events of 2001. Williams has not yet commented on the criticism. Crash.net has contacted Williams for a response.
Despite the controversy, Williams remains focused on track performance. The Grove-based team is fighting to improve its position in the constructors' championship, and the retro livery is expected to provide extra motivation for their drivers, Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant, to deliver their best in Madrid.
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