Former Method One supremo Bernie Ecclestone paid tribute to the late Frank Williams as a pioneer who helped to construct the trendy sport and with out whom it might need ceased to exist.

Williams, who had been quadriplegic since a 1986 automotive accident in France, died on Sunday aged 79, his household mentioned in a press release.

The eponymous staff he based, nonetheless the second most profitable when it comes to constructors’ championships and third oldest, was offered to U.S.-based Dorilton Capital final 12 months.

Williams got here from an period the place title-winning groups had been run by their founders, males reminiscent of Enzo Ferrari, Ken Tyrrell and Lotus boss Colin Chapman who’re all lengthy gone.

“With out these sort of individuals I doubt whether or not Method One would have nonetheless been going now. Most likely Ferrari would have stopped and that may have been it,” Ecclestone, 91, instructed Reuters.

“There’s not lots of the old-timers floating round now — people who had been with the groups once they began.

“You would purchase an engine and a gearbox (in these days). You did not must have multi, multi-billions and have 1,000 individuals working for you.”

Ecclestone, who took over and ran the Brabham staff within the early Nineteen Seventies, recalled Williams as an outdated buddy who obtained over life’s monetary and bodily obstacles with appeal and willpower.

“Frank was a bit of bit particular as an individual. And that kind of confirmed in the best way he saved going,” he mentioned.

“Issues had been by no means actually unhealthy so far as Frank was involved, he by no means complained about issues. He obtained on with issues the easiest way he may. And that is the rationale he was so profitable. He was a racer by means of and thru.”

Ecclestone recalled the obsessive bodily health fanatic who earlier than his accident would run for miles earlier than dinner but additionally confirmed a eager eye for type.

“He was all the time forward of the sport. He knew about cashmere sweaters after I’d by no means heard of cashmere. That was Frank,” mentioned the British billionaire.

“He’d say to me ‘Might you lend me 2,000 kilos’. And I would say sure. And he’d say ‘I will pay you in 10 days’. As positive as something, Frank would return in 10 days with 2,000 kilos.

“He’d speak about no matter after which simply earlier than he went he’d say ‘I ponder in case you may assist me? Do you assume you could possibly lend me 2,500 kilos? I will pay you again in 10 days.’ And that is how we labored with Frank. I might belief him with my life.”

Ecclestone additionally recalled sitting in hospital, after Williams had been flown again from France to London, with Method One physician Professor Sid Watkins.

“I mentioned ‘How lengthy’s this going to final?’ and he (Watkins) mentioned ‘I feel he’ll be right here for six months trying on the ceiling’. I mentioned ‘Is he going to outlive all this?’ and he mentioned ‘I do not assume so’. And Sid actually knew (the science).

“As traditional Frank proved everybody fallacious. They do not develop them like Frank any extra”.