On numerous occasions over the past 18 months, Claire Williams could easily have walked away from the Formula 1 team that bears her family name.

During what she has described as "a long dark tunnel" that has stretched through two seasons in which the car and results have been horrifying, deputy team principal Williams had thoughts of giving up.

There was certainly enough motivation to do so as she has conceded to being abused on social media, while her son, now two years old, was also tugging at her heartstrings.

Williams, though, is nothing if not resilient, possessing what she claims is "a thick skin". The social media snipers, in particular, have merely made her "dig my heels in more", while she is driven by a fierce determination to turn the tide of defeat, for herself, the team, and for her son Nate.

In an exclusive interview with Yahoo Sport, asked whether she had considered giving up in the team's darkest moments, Williams said: "Yeah, of course I have. Anyone that doesn't have those moments of self-reflection and introspection should be accused of being totally arrogant.

"The situation has been horrifically challenging and very difficult but I'm always motivated by the people we have in this team, and they've never shown any signs of giving up, so I wasn't going to either.

"And what would it look like if I gave up? I wasn't prepared to give up because I would only be accused of being the daughter that brought her dad's iconic team down to the ground, and there was no way I was going to have that resting on my back for the rest of my life."

View photos Claire Williams with her father, Sir Frank Williams (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images) More

After finishing last in the constructors' championship last year with just seven points, Williams hit rock bottom at the start of this season when it embarrassingly failed to complete its new car in time for the start of pre-season testing.

With drivers George Russell and Robert Kubica consistently bringing up the rear in both qualifying and the races, Williams appears destined to finish the campaign with only one point, which would represent the worst season in its history.

Williams at least has the support of her father Sir Frank as she said: "A lot of my motivation comes from him. He never gave up, and he went through hard times.

"Yes, it was different for him because social media wasn't around. But Frank was still given 10 years of grief when his team wasn't doing well.

"He's given me this responsibility to look after the team, and in every conversation I've had with him, he's fully supportive.

"He knows how tough this business is, one that is a whole lot tougher in this day and age, with social media and people calling you an a***hole left, right and centre. That just makes me dig my heels in more.

"When people turn around and say I should give it up, that just makes me fight even harder, and I've always been a firm believer that if you work hard, fight hard, then one day you will get your just rewards."

View photos Williams and the team during winter testing in Spain. (Credit: Getty Images) More

It is one reason why Williams was never going to throw in the towel and pursue a homely life.

While she concedes that "I miss Nate terribly when I'm away from him", she added: "As much as I could stay at home and be a wife and mum, which would be a lot easier, I've never taken the easy road.

"I don't want Nate growing up saying his grandfather was one of the most successful Formula 1 team principals, but his mum killed the team. Brilliant! A great legacy for him.

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