“The future of Williams isn’t investing in the past, it’s investing in talent that allows us to move forward as individuals. It’s investing in an academy. When you’re putting that amount of finance into an academy, you’ve got to put your actions where your words are as well.
“Franco’s ahead in the F2 championship of [Mercedes-backed Kimi] Antonelli, he’s ahead of [Ferrari-backed future Haas driver Oliver] Bearman… He’s at MP, and with all due respect to MP, it’s not Prema or ART, and he’s doing a good job and building up.
“Do I think we’ve put someone really in the deep end of the swimming pool? Absolutely, 100%. But if you listen to Franco’s own words, you’ll hear that he’s ready for it, that he’s ready for the challenge and he knows what’s in front of him.
“I want to demonstrate to the world that investing in a driver that can I hope become a very successful reserve driver for us, simulator driver for us, and other aspects, depending on how he performs, is investing in the future of Williams.”