Five unlikely epic drives

Deputy team principal of the Williams Formula One racing team, Claire Williams has spent her whole life in motor racing. From petrifying Indian roads to romantic Italian panoramas, she tells The Club about her five most epic drives. Click on an image below to read the story

Claire Williams is an ambassador for Terrazza Martini Milano. For more information, visit martini.com

Silverstone Rally School, UK

When I worked at Silverstone, I was taken out by an instructor in a little Peugeot 206, which the school used as one of its off-road vehicles. We whizzed around in this tiny car going between trees, through ditches and alongside a small lake. I loved it. It showed me what a car could really do.

Car of choice: Peugeot 206

Photo: Getty Images

New Delhi, India

Going to India for the Grand Prix was a real eye-opener. Just driving to the circuit in New Delhi from the hotel was petrifying. Nobody uses headlights at night, there are cows on the road and vehicles come out of the mist from absolutely nowhere. During the 30-minute journey, we’d drive through some beautiful countryside, but I would be hiding under my seat the whole way.

Car of choice: Tempo Matador F307

Photo: Getty Images

Great Ocean Road, Australia

During my gap year in Australia, I experienced the Great Ocean Road in a 20-seat minibus with people from all over the world. The scenery was phenomenal – Apollo Bay and Port Campbell in particular were breathtaking.

Car of choice: Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

Photo: Getty Images

Goring to Didcot, UK

When I was little and my mum wanted some peace, Dad [Sir Frank Williams, founder of Williams Formula One] would drive my brother Jonny and me to the old Williams HQ in Didcot. We had a five-door Mini Metro, and Dad would drive like an absolute hooligan. He used to stop at the top of the hills and do ‘doughnuts’ in the road for us. Of course, we weren’t allowed to tell Mum about it when we got home!

Car of choice: Mini Metro

Photo: Getty Images

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Last year my boyfriend and I went to Praiano, near Positano, in Italy and drove along the Amalfi coastline. The road was the narrowest I’d ever been on, and there were no guardrails between us and the sheer cliff drop right beside it. The scenery was incredibly romantic, but the drive was pretty frightening.

Car of choice: Porsche 911 Turbo

Photo: Getty Images

Claire Williams

Five unlikely epic drives

Silverstone Rally School, UK

New Delhi, India

Great Ocean Road, Australia

Goring to Didcot, UK

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Silverstone Rally School, UK

New Delhi, India

Great Ocean Road, Australia

Goring to Didcot, UK

Amalfi Coast, Italy

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