SEPTEMBER 7, 2001

Williams defends team

AFTER an ignominious Belgian Grand Prix that saw spirited debate over the tire choice in qualifying, Juan Pablo Montoya's pole sitting FW23 stall on the grid, Ralf Schumacher's car left up on blocks on the grid, rear wing problems, an engine failure and a delayed pit stop Sir Frank Williams has weighed in to defend his team manager, Dickie Stanford.

The experienced pit boss has come under fire from Ralf Schumacher amongst others, but Williams will not countenance the criticism. "The team recognizes that a very difficult decision was made which didn't work," Williams said of the belated decision to change Schumacher's rear wing on safety grounds. "I have the highest regard for Dickie. He took a lot of the flak and didn't deserve it."