F1: Claire Williams awarded an OBE

Claire Williams has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's 2016 Birthday Honours List for her services to Formula 1.

Williams joined the team in 2002 as a communications officer before becoming head of communication and then director of marketing and communications. She was then promoted by father Sir Frank to the role of deputy team principal in March 2013.

Williams has played a key role in helping the team reverse its fortunes after finishing ninth in the constructors' championship in 2013 with third-place finishes in each of the last two years.

"Today is a very proud day for me, but this is also a bit of a surprise," she said. "To be recognized in this way is a tremendous honor but one everyone at Williams can take credit for.

"I'm extremely lucky that I get to do a job that I love. To be able to play a role in a family legacy is an enormous privilege and one I don't take for granted.

"Formula 1, and Williams, are great success stories for the UK and I will continue to use my role to help showcase what a great sport Formula 1 is, what a brilliant platform for this country's expertise in high class engineering it is, as well as a place that welcomes women across all of its disciplines."

Originally on Autosport.com