Spotlight On: Adam Parr, Former chairman, Williams Grand Prix Holdings

Adam Parr (GETTY IMAGES)

Who's this slicked-back character? Is he a Formula One driver?

Close. Mr Parr was chairman of the parent company behind the Williams F1 motor-racing team but he quit yesterday after five years. His background isn't cars. He used to work for Barclays and Rio Tinto.

The timing of his exit seems a bit strange. Hasn't the F1 season just started?

Yes, the second Grand Prix race took place in Malaysia on Sunday and Williams announced the next morning that Mr Parr was off.

How has the Williams team been faring recently?

Last season Williams ended in ninth place in the constructors' standings with just five points. Red Bull Racing, home of last year's champion, Sebastian Vettel, amassed 650 points in top spot.

And how did Williams do in Malaysia?

Mr Parr went out on a high of sorts. Williams' driver Bruno Senna came sixth and collected eight points – more than the team managed in the whole of last season.

It's still hardly a stellar performance, is it?

Quite so. Williams was once the biggest name in F1, winning nine constructors' titles between 1980 and 1997. It's clear that Mr Parr hasn't had the Midas touch.

Was Mr Parr to blame? Who really pulls the strings at Williams?

Sir Frank Williams, the founder and team principal, remains controlling shareholder in Williams Grand Prix Holdings, which floated in Frankfurt a year ago. But Sir Frank stepped down from the board this month after 35 years.

What did he say about the former chairman?

"Over five years, Adam's achievements have surpassed my expectations," said Sir Frank – apparently without irony.

Who has WGPH appointed as the new chairman?

Nick Rose, a former chief financial officer of Diageo and existing non-executive director of WGPH, steps up. Mr Rose said he wants to restore Williams' "former glory".