2000s
Since the departure of Newey, Williams have often appeared a spent force, able to win occasionally, but unable to mount a consistent challenge. During the dominant Ferrari/Schumacher period from 2000-04, Williams managed to finish runner-up in the constructors championship in 2002 and 2003, and 2003 was the closest that one of their drivers, Juan Pablo Montoya, got to the world title.
Finally in 2004 came the news that Patrick Head was to stand down as technical director in favour of thirty-three year old Sam Michael. Head's move to Engineering Director was widely seen as demotion and final acceptance by Sir Frank Williams that he was no longer able to bring the team the level of success it had once enjoyed. However, Williams decline continued and following Montoya's win at the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix, they entered a lengthy period without a Grand Prix victory ended by Pastor Maldonado winning the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix.
Read more about this topic: Patrick Head