Williams has initiated legal proceedings in the British High Court to recover a historic Formula 1 car, a Williams FW23, which has been reported missing. The team is seeking either the return of the chassis or compensation exceeding £1 million.
The missing car, a 2001-specification FW23, was driven by Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya during the 2001 Formula 1 season. Only nine examples of this BMW-powered chassis were manufactured.
Williams states the FW23 is a crucial part of its unique heritage collection. The team asserts it strictly controls the use and sale of these historic cars to ensure their preservation.
In 2015, Williams loaned the FW23 to Autotech Performance Ltd, a garage based in Telford, Shropshire, under a ‘Historic Car Loan Agreement’. The agreement stipulated the car could remain with the company until October 2021.
Williams contacted Autotech in 2021 to inspect the car and terminate the loan, but received no response. Autotech Performance Ltd has since entered liquidation and was formally dissolved, with Companies House records indicating it was struck off the register on November 22, 2023.
The Formula 1 team is now pursuing legal action against Peter Thorpe, the former director and shareholder of Autotech Performance Ltd.
Williams’ barrister, Richard Clegg, stated in court papers that the team alleges Thorpe removed the car from the garage. It is further claimed Thorpe wrongly informed a valuer during Autotech’s liquidation that he personally owned the vehicle.
Thorpe disputes these allegations. His defence, presented by Duncan MacPherson, asserts he does not know the current whereabouts of the car and denies ever claiming ownership.
Thorpe’s legal team also highlights that he suffered a stroke on October 7, 2018, which resulted in cognitive impairment and memory problems.
He maintains that the FW23 was present at the Autotech premises on August 8, 2021, during an asset valuation. However, he states he cannot confirm if it remained there until December 2021, as this falls outside his knowledge.
The valuation of the car is also contested. Williams values the FW23 at approximately £750,000. Thorpe’s defence argues it was a show car without an engine, thus disputing the team’s valuation.
The Williams FW23 was a competitive car in the 2001 season, securing four Grand Prix victories and a third-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship. Ralf Schumacher achieved three wins that year, while Juan Pablo Montoya secured his maiden Formula 1 victory at Monza.
The lawsuit is currently filed at London’s High Court and has not yet proceeded to a full trial. Williams has expressed ‘full faith in the legal system’ to resolve the dispute.
