Frank Williams celebrates 600th grand prix

By Alan Baldwin

MONACO (Reuters) - Team owner Frank Williams dispelled any thoughts of retiring on Thursday as he looked forward to celebrating his 600th Formula One grand prix this weekend.

"I'm kind of proud of the number, it's a long journey but it doesn't mean a great deal," Williams told reporters as his team opened the champagne to toast his achievements at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Williams was already the longest serving Formula One entrant, with more races to his name even than the late Enzo Ferrari, who died in 1988.

"I've enjoyed most of it, that's the important thing. It's a great place to be," said the 66-year-old, whose team have won 113 races, seven drivers' world championships and nine constructors' crowns.

Australian Alan Jones, Finland's Keke Rosberg (father of current driver Nico), Brazilian Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill, France's Alain Prost and Canadian Jacques Villeneuve were all Williams champions.

"He really is the last team principal in the pitlane that goes motor racing for its true essence, and that's to race," said Rosberg senior.

Confined to a wheelchair since 1986 when he was paralysed from the neck down in a car accident, Williams made clear that he intended to add quite a few more races to his tally.

"It (retirement) is inevitable and there is a succession plan around in Williams and it's going to work well I think, so eventually I will disappear," said the Briton. "But not for a while yet."