The Williams Formula 1 team is facing backlash for its choice of a special livery for the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
The livery is a throwback to the FW07C car raced in 1981, the last time the team competed in the Spanish capital. This historic design, however, carries a connection to sponsors from that era, including Saudi Arabian firms. Notably, the car also carried the name 'Bin Laden' in 1979, following financial support from Mohamed Bin Laden, father of Osama bin Laden.
F1 pundit Will Buxton raised concerns about the timing on his podcast, 'Up To Speed.' He highlighted the historical association with the Bin Laden family and its connection to the 9/11 attacks, stating that running the livery on this particular weekend was "a very delicate moment of world history."
"Any other weekend, you'd be like, 'Oh, that's pretty cool.' This weekend, I think, you know, there's a focus group that's failed to focus really on that. People will make that link and they will make that association," Buxton said.
The team, which is participating in its home race for driver Carlos Sainz and features current sponsors like Atlassian, explained the livery's significance.
"Drawing on the striking white, green, and navy blue of the Constructors’ Championship-winning 1981 design, the livery showcases how our history compounds into progress," a team statement read. "Each generation learns from the knowledge, methods and hard-won lessons of the last. From the engineers who developed the FW07C to the teammates preparing the FW48, the same spirit of innovation, precision and teamwork continues to shape Williams."
Team Principal James Vowles added, "Our mission to get back to the front of the grid is drawn from, inspired by and informed by everything we’ve done before. I am incredibly proud to celebrate that through Atlassian’s special livery, connecting the team we were at Jarama with the team we are becoming today through focused collaboration, improved technological innovation and real creativity."
However, the timing sparked divided reactions among fans. Some defended the team, arguing that the connection was a stretch and that individuals' actions should not reflect on their families. Others agreed that the timing was insensitive and unfortunate, with some suggesting the team should have chosen a different weekend to debut the livery.
"As a American who was 11 when this happened. I don't think the actions of one individual shouldn't reflect the rest of the family. I love this Williams livery since they're my team," one fan commented. Another user stated, "1. Great throwback livery of a beautiful car! 2. The weekend of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 is the worst possible time to run this livery."