22 replies to this topic

[Mr Plug]

It must be galling for Patrick Head to leave F1 on the back of such a terrible season, but that he is doing so is the measure of a plain-talking, honest and (above all) hugely talented Engineer.

The history of F1 will show Williams's successes against often better-funded teams, but should also recognise their technical innovations and achievements. And the basis of those were due to Head's inspiration and leadership.

Hope you have fun with Hybrid Power, Patrick!

[Bloggsworth]

A great man who, unfortunately, obeyed the same rule that applies to politicians "All political lives, unless they are cut off in midstream at a happy juncture, end in failure" This also applies to businessmen, leaders and sportsmen...

Over the years he has justifiably earned universal admiration, he now has a new project to engage his brain and I have no doubt he will be successful.

Edited by Bloggsworth, 31 December 2011 - 10:15.

[Craven Morehead]

The end of an era. And the beginning of a new one. Patrick presided over a remarkable run of success in the 80's & 90's. I will miss seeing him on my screen.

[glorius&victorius]

I love some of PH's interviews where he tries to be diplomatic but his straigthforwardness just ruins it

What an achievements! Grande Patrick Head!

[ClockworkRacing]

A truly gifted enineer who will be missed,hope the next William´s car does better

[spacekid]

I'm sort of torn in between being sad and relieved to see Patrick go. What a great career he's had though, I have much respect for the man.

My favourite Patrick Head quote is along the lines of 'I never planned to use my engineering in F1. I thought I'd end up doing something useful, like designing washing machines.

[H2H]

The end of an era. And the beginning of a new one. Patrick presided over a remarkable run of success in the 80's & 90's. I will miss seeing him on my screen.

Well said.

I'm a fan of RBR which in general enjoyed an advantage in aerodynamic performance, however I would love more relevance for the mechanical part of F1, a world in which Patrick excelled.

[teejay]

Good bye Mr Head. Mister, yeah, Ill use it. He deserves the upmost respect for what he has done for Williams and for F1.

[Risil]

My favourite Patrick Head quote is along the lines of 'I never planned to use my engineering in F1. I thought I'd end up doing something useful, like designing washing machines.

Or hybrid cars...

[Tifosi4ever]

Or hybrid cars...

He said useful. Hybrid cars aren't useful. They are just ways for celebrities to prove they are saving the world.

[Risil]

He said useful. Hybrid cars aren't useful. They are just ways for celebrities to prove they are saving the world.

Is Patrick Head a celebrity?

[Vic Vega]

Good riddance.

[Tifosi4ever]

Is Patrick Head a celebrity?;)

No, but celebrities tend to buy these useless cars to show how green they are. Cows are far more environmentally unfriendly than cars, so if you want to show how green you are, you would be better off by killing cows by eating lots of steak.

[ashnathan]

Im a little disappointed Patrick has somewhat disappeared over the years and has now finally said goodbye to F1. I'll never forget his public spats with other teams on the pitwall but I will always remember when Nelson Piquet came into Mansells box before Mansell could get there and Head on tv turned around facing the camera and let out an almighty F@!#% ! To be honest though, I thought he'd basically left F1 earlier cos I haven't heard much if anything of him for years. Seeya Pat!

[WilliamsFWPH]

the man is in the same class as Chapman, Dennis


thank you very much for what you've done in all those Williams years.

[wewantourdarbyback]

Hopefully he'll find more fulfilment working on the hybrid tech side than he was getting in having a bit-part in F1 these days.

The architect of some truly remarkable cars and a great man.

[Slartibartfast]

Patrick Head was an integral part of Williams. The team will be different without him, as will the sport. It is a shame he couldn't bow out on a high, but at least he has new challenges ahead and I wish him success in them.

[Boing 2]

Frank and Patrick have been the most fascinating team bosses I've seen in the 25ish years I've been following F1, I love their meat and potatoes approach to the sport and the refusal to get sucked into hype and stardom. A racing team that never asked for anything more than a grid and a set of start lights. 10/10

good luck Patrick.

[Wi000]

Well at least he's spared the disgrace of having to work with Mike Coughlan.
Anyway sad to see Patrick Head go, a truly great character, the sport will miss him.

Edited by Wi000, 02 January 2012 - 12:10.

[tifosiMac]

Yeah sad to see Patrick go after so much success in the past. Its a shame the team went into decline over the past decade but that was a mixture of reasons and he stayed loyal to the team throughout. One of F1's iconic characters and I'm sure he'll be missed by most in the paddock. Enjoy your retirement Pat

[Muz Bee]

Well at least he's spared the disgrace of having to work with Mike Coughlan.
Anyway sad to see Patrick Head go, a truly great character, the sport will miss him.

Someone with an ability to view events through the filter of the sport's longer history.

The older he got the more I liked his grizzly presence at Team Willy. Let's hope he finds life outside pitlane is satisfying, happy retirement Patrick.

[ArtShelley]

No, but celebrities tend to buy these useless cars to show how green they are. Cows are far more environmentally unfriendly than cars, so if you want to show how green you are, you would be better off by killing cows by eating lots of steak.

Currently yes hybrid cars are not all that efficient. But without the technology being birthed and supported, it will never be developed. Who knows, one day it might become truly "green".

You're also wrong about cows. Eating more steak creates more demand for cows = increase in cow numbers to meet that demand. If you want to show how green you are, don't eat cows. Reduce demand = reduced supply.

You just gotta think outside that typical tifosi logic

[holiday]

I love some of PH's interviews where he tries to be diplomatic but his straigthforwardness just ruins it

Williams garage in the late 90s...engines roaring. Head bellowing to Frentzen, hardly intelligible: The problem, Heinz-Harald is....engines suddenly dying off, with Head's voice now heard all down the pitlane...you are just too slow!!