Are the wheels coming off at Williams
Discussion
onyx39 said:
IMO he's a better driver than the Ape, and brings sponsorship too. Williams would get compensated if Maldonado leaves for Lotus and takes his PDVSA sponsorship with him.He's not the worst choice Williams could make.
Teppic said:
onyx39 said:
IMO he's a better driver than the Ape, and brings sponsorship too. Williams would get compensated if Maldonado leaves for Lotus and takes his PDVSA sponsorship with him.He's not the worst choice Williams could make.
Williams has never actually been underfunded, but they have spent their money unwisely in the past. Building a second wind tunnel just before the wind tunnel restrictions came in to force and then not having the money to invest in the cfd infrastructure needed. Also, something about the way Sam michael used to panic and make poor decisions which ultimately cost the team.
With merc engines next year and a bit more direction (Pat Symonds) they could do well out of the regulation changes.
Maldonado is replaceable if another driver also brings sponsorship, Williams have invested quite a lot in bottas. They will keep him I think, maybe as a future income source if they sell his contract.
Piginapoke said:
They need a manufacturer relationship, otherwise end is not far away
This.McLaren could have been in danger of a similar fate if the Honda deal ends badly although they've got a road car business now I suppose so they're a manufacturer in their own right.
Williams just got left behind when the big names started arriving in the sport.
MiniMan64 said:
Piginapoke said:
They need a manufacturer relationship, otherwise end is not far away
This.McLaren could have been in danger of a similar fate if the Honda deal ends badly although they've got a road car business now I suppose so they're a manufacturer in their own right.
Williams just got left behind when the big names started arriving in the sport.
BMW supplied engines and also financed the team. So when they left it was a double blow, from which they haven't really recovered.
Pat Symons is now their last chance but I have to say whenever I hear Claire Williams interviewed I am not filled with hope for the long term prospects of the team.
Pat Symons is now their last chance but I have to say whenever I hear Claire Williams interviewed I am not filled with hope for the long term prospects of the team.
Hopefully the reason for the poor showing this year is that they gave up early and put all their effort into next year's car. Pat Symonds knows what he's doing, and if the Massa rumour is true that's good for them because he is a very good racer. I really hope they can turn it around.
ThatsWhatShe said:
BMW wanted to buy the team. Frank didn't want to sell. Peter Sauber was happy to sell.
Nothing more than that.
BMW just wanted more control, they were at the time building the most powerful engine, and thought the reason they weren't winning was down the Williams not delivering on the chassis front. Nothing more than that.
Buying a team was easy way of getting the control.
Williams were then hit with BMW leaving, plus two major sponsors pulling out. Mclaren would have faced similar problem (merc/vodafone), but the Honda deal ensures their top line F1 team standing.
revrange said:
BMW just wanted more control, they were at the time building the most powerful engine, and thought the reason they weren't winning was down the Williams not delivering on the chassis front.
Buying a team was easy way of getting the control.
Williams were then hit with BMW leaving, plus two major sponsors pulling out. Mclaren would have faced similar problem (merc/vodafone), but the Honda deal ensures their top line F1 team standing.
Why does having a honda engine ensure their top line standing? In the years before 2009 the engine was the single biggest weakness for the Brackley team. Buying a team was easy way of getting the control.
Williams were then hit with BMW leaving, plus two major sponsors pulling out. Mclaren would have faced similar problem (merc/vodafone), but the Honda deal ensures their top line F1 team standing.
scrwright said:
so a bag of cash to get rid of pastor and massa coming along with a big wad of sponsorship, not a bad deal for Williams IMHO
Who says Massa has piles of cash? It is true that PDVSA will have to effectively pay twice for 2014 & 2015 though but after that, Williams really need to find some serious money.Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff