Formula One great Sir Frank Williams has been admitted to hospital where he is currently in a stable condition, the Williams team have announced.
The 78-year-old established the team in 1977 and it went on to win nine constructors' championships, the most recent in 1997.
A statement read: "Sir Frank Williams has recently been admitted to hospital where he is currently in a stable condition.
"Frank's medical condition is a private matter and therefore the family will not be releasing any further details at this time.
"We will ask you to respect the family's privacy. The team will release a further update in due course."
Williams has used a wheelchair since being injured in a car accident in France in 1986. He stepped down from the board of the Williams F1 team in 2012, and stopped all involvement in the team in September this year, following its sale to Dorilton Capital.
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Williams family end F1 journey
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George Russell of Williams during the Italian GP in Monza. The Williams family ended their association with Formula One on Sunday. Getty -
The historic Williams Formula One team has been bought by US investment firm Dorilton Capital, ending 43 years of family ownership. EPA -
Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams with husband Marc Harris before the Italian GP in Monza. Getty -
The team was founded in 1977 by Frank Williams, left, and Patrick Head, right. Williams have won nine constructors' titles and seven drivers' championships, the last one being Jacques Villeneuve’s triumph in 1997. AFP -
Claire Williams ran the day to day operations while Frank remained the principal. But his close friend and former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone said that was the problem. "Trouble was, Frank was hands-on in the way he managed the team," Ecclestone said in June. AFP -
The Williams Formula One team have been bought by US-based investment firm Dorilton Capital after being put up for sale in May. PA -
Williams were forced to look for new investment when in May Williams Grand Prix Holdings group reported an adjusted loss of £13 million for the year ending 2019. EPA -
Williams's performance on the track has also taken a hit. They finished as high as third in the constructors' championship in 2015 but last year slid to bottom, the same position they occupy this season. AFP -
It represents quite a contrast to the glory years in the 1990s when the likes of Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Damon Hill dominated at Williams. AFP -
Williams' British driver George Russell, right, leads his teammate Nicholas Latifi at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone on August 9. AFP -
British racing driver Susie Wolff of Williams drives out of team's garage during the first practice session of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 2014. EPA -
Frank Williams, right, the then head BMW-Williams Formula One team, chats with one of his technicians after the free practice round at the Nuerburgring circuit in Germany in 2003. EPA
