Formula One constructor Williams has taken legal action in London’s High Court to recover an historic 2001 Grand Prix car, or secure more than £1 million in damages, following its alleged disappearance from a now-dissolved Shropshire garage business.
The dispute centres on an FW23 chassis originally raced by Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya during the 2001 Formula One season.
One of just nine examples manufactured by Grove-based Williams, the vehicle forms part of the team’s preserved heritage collection.
According to court filings, Williams entered into a formal “Historic Car Loan Agreement” in 2015, permitting Telford-based Autotech Performance Ltd to display the showpiece on-site at its premises.
The situation deteriorated after the racing outfit formally issued notice to inspect the chassis and terminate the loan in October 2021, receiving no response.
Autotech Performance subsequently ceased trading, entered voluntary liquidation, and was later dissolved.
Williams is now pursuing former director and shareholder Peter Thorpe, 58, in the High Court, alleging that the vehicle was wrongfully removed from the workshop site during the insolvency process.
Legal representatives for Williams argue Mr Thorpe represented himself as the personal owner of the asset to liquidators, claiming possession and demanding either the physical return of the chassis alongside accrued hire fees, or compensation exceeding £1 million.
Mr Thorpe strongly denies the claims and is contesting the action.
In his defence, Mr Thorpe stated that he suffered a stroke in October 2018 resulting in ongoing cognitive and memory impairment, and maintained he never represented himself as the vehicle’s owner because he was aware that was not the case.
His legal team contends that while the FW23 was present at the Telford site in August 2021 for asset assessment during the wind-down, Mr Thorpe ceased active involvement when trading ended on 30 June 2021 and has no knowledge of when or how the vehicle left the property prior to full liquidation.
The defence also disputes the £750,000 valuation cited by Williams, noting that the vehicle was supplied as an engine-less display show car.
A spokesperson for Williams confirmed the active proceedings, stating: “We have initiated proceedings to recover a car that was lent to a third party and not returned to us.
“As the proceedings are active, we will make no further comment but have full faith in the legal system to resolve this matter.”
The case has been lodged in the High Court in London ahead of a full trial.
