Discussion
jsf said:
Mr Pointy said:
I bet Liberty are glad the new Concord agreement was signed before Bernie became team boss 
Quite the oposite, without the concorde agreement being signed, there wasn't the possibility of a deal being made for the sale of Williams. Whatever happens next regards Frank and Claire, today is itself a momentous occasion. The end of an era that near enough spans the length of F1. I'm sure Frank feels great sadness the team is no longer in the family, but also I'd hope that now it's done he can reflect over the entire history of the team and be proud.
jsf said:
Quite the oposite, without the concorde agreement being signed, there wasn't the possibility of a deal being made for the sale of Williams.
Exactly, one of the key points of the new financial structures in F1 is that teams will be able to turn a profit, and therefore have a value to investors. Great news today that the Williams name will continue on in F1, hopefully for many more years to come.
Sandpit Steve said:
jsf said:
Quite the oposite, without the concorde agreement being signed, there wasn't the possibility of a deal being made for the sale of Williams.
Exactly, one of the key points of the new financial structures in F1 is that teams will be able to turn a profit, and therefore have a value to investors. Great news today that the Williams name will continue on in F1, hopefully for many more years to come.
I'd expect not much will happen this season as they evaluate the current business - probably get some indication of what they have planned for the team after the season completes..
It would be great if they ploughed in money sufficient for Williams to remain a bona-fide constructor and a competitive force 2022 onwards - I suppose that depends on the team convincing the new owners that such a direction is worth investing in. Fingers crossed on that front.
rider73 said:
I suspect the new owners might move Clair and/or Frank to ambassador roles - they will bring in new blood for management....lets face it , under her/thier rule they were too stubborn and "proud" to change - the team has paid the price.
lets get williams back to the top ASAP.
They do really need to work more closely with Mercedes, look at what happened to Racing Point this year when they did just that. lets get williams back to the top ASAP.
The noble idea of building every part of the car yourself just doesn’t work any more, with these fiendishly complex vehicles that are modern F1 cars.
It’s sad to say, but Claire has been way out of her depth for a while as team leader. They need to put someone with engineering experience in charge, and move CW back to marketing or PR. She’s done good work for the Women in Motorsport group in the past, let her spend more time on that.
Muzzer79 said:
sgtBerbatov said:
Bernie and Frank are meant to be quite pally. There's a rumour/conspiracy theory doing the rounds (may even be in this thread) that Bernie helped engineer Maldonado's win at Spain for Frank's birthday. As I said, that's a rumour, but there's a definite favourable relationship there between them.
Bernie and Frank go back a long way. Bernie always helped Frank, financially in the early days, in other ways later on.I don't put much stock into the Spain 2012 win conspiracy theory.
Coming back to another comment made on this thread, I'm very wary of companies ending in 'Capital' too especially when it comes to anything involving cars. Although it was years and a different life ago, when I was doing the Saab Gone? thread Victor Mueller was very keen on trying to get companies ending in Capital to save Saab. Most of them either didn't have a pot to piss in or were just run by Walter Mittys trying to get attention for themselves. I am quite sure this isn't the case this time.
Or at least I certainly hope so.
RonaldMcDonaldAteMyCat said:
TheDeuce said:
This is true. Although by the same token that opens the door for the new owners to buy a car Haas style or become a b team in order to reduce costs and maximise profits.
I doubt they've bought the F1 team to make any significant operating profit from those activities.TheDeuce said:
RonaldMcDonaldAteMyCat said:
TheDeuce said:
This is true. Although by the same token that opens the door for the new owners to buy a car Haas style or become a b team in order to reduce costs and maximise profits.
I doubt they've bought the F1 team to make any significant operating profit from those activities.I think an F1 team is an odd thing for a PE company to get involved with, particularly as it has no links with F1 or Motorsport that I can see.
A similar arrangement ended badly for Geni/Enstone. I can't say this fills me with much confidence, assume the team was not overwhelmed with interest.
A similar arrangement ended badly for Geni/Enstone. I can't say this fills me with much confidence, assume the team was not overwhelmed with interest.
Byker28i said:
SmoothCriminal said:
They need to rid Claire William's asap how can such a failure be in charge under new leadership, I understood why Frank would keep daddies girl.
I thought she's done a good job given their tiny purse string. Exploited the most out of Bottas to Mercedes etc.I'd like to see her stay.
Mark-C said:
TheDeuce said:
RonaldMcDonaldAteMyCat said:
TheDeuce said:
This is true. Although by the same token that opens the door for the new owners to buy a car Haas style or become a b team in order to reduce costs and maximise profits.
I doubt they've bought the F1 team to make any significant operating profit from those activities.Like I said though, doubt we'll see any signs of what changes they might want to make until this season is wrapped up. Right now the team are surely best left to focus on the sport they're competing in rather than be rattled by talk of changes and business politics etc.
Krikkit said:
Byker28i said:
SmoothCriminal said:
They need to rid Claire William's asap how can such a failure be in charge under new leadership, I understood why Frank would keep daddies girl.
I thought she's done a good job given their tiny purse string. Exploited the most out of Bottas to Mercedes etc.I'd like to see her stay.
Mark-C said:
So there is a five year view of a reducing cost model for Formula One and Williams have an entry ticket for that game ... I reckon this is a great time to buy into a team.
That was a big part of Chase Carey’s masterplan for the sustainability of F1. I expect that, following the conclusion of the new agreement we will see several teams announce investments or share sales this year.
Sandpit Steve said:
Great news today that the Williams name will continue on in F1, hopefully for many more years to come.
I never get this, all it is now is just a name. It's relevance in the sport disappears the moment the team is no longer owned by Frank Williams, it's no different to someone bringing a new entry into the sport now called Brabham and saying at least the name Iives on. The new owners realistically aren't going to keep Williams operating at the size they are staff wise just for the sakes of it unlike the family have for the last few years, selling up all but guarantees the downsizing their wilful ignorance has been trying to avoid. But at least the family can say they weren't the ones to let people go. At least Claire can do a s
t spin on the PR of that one. Edited by DanielSan on Friday 21st August 13:28
DanielSan said:
Sandpit Steve said:
Great news today that the Williams name will continue on in F1, hopefully for many more years to come.
I never get this, all it is now is just a name. It's relevance in the sport disappears the moment the team is no longer owned by Frank Williams, it's no different to someone bringing a new entry into the sport now called Brabham and saying at least the name Iives on. That Sir Frank and his team managed an honourable exit is worth celebrating.
Sandpit Steve said:
DanielSan said:
Sandpit Steve said:
Great news today that the Williams name will continue on in F1, hopefully for many more years to come.
I never get this, all it is now is just a name. It's relevance in the sport disappears the moment the team is no longer owned by Frank Williams, it's no different to someone bringing a new entry into the sport now called Brabham and saying at least the name Iives on. That Sir Frank and his team managed an honourable exit is worth celebrating.
I imagine the employees are a little anxious about what the future might bring and what might change, but I imagine they have been even more anxious over the last couple of years wondering if a life saving sale would ever actually happen. I'm glad it has - wish it had happened a year ago tbh.
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff