The Official F1 2019 silly season *contains speculation*
Discussion
Bullitt Five-Oh said:
Is the brother really that much worse than her? I take we're talking Jonathan here? He used to be responsible for talent management at Williams (e.g. development and subsequent signing up of Montoya).
https://joesaward.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/claire-...Worth a read of the comments.
As Joe Saward said, "Are you aware that he has two sons and has chosen his only daughter? What does that tell you? It is not about nepotism… Put yourself in his position…"
Gaz. said:
They'd be last last?
Claire seems to be a pretty switched on negotiator at the commercial level (see Toto/Bottas) and is media savvy. They clearly need more technical leadership, but that isn't a TP role.Small pool of resources in F1 with long lead times on their contracts.
Also I think that the team at the back at any point in the season should be allowed additional CFD compute time to help close the gaps.
cuprabob said:
From the outside, Paddy Lowe hasn't had rhe impact that was expected. I know it takes time but I would have expected to some progress by now.
I nearly asked Paddy who - not seen him interviewed for ages (only tend to watch on Sky in case he's a Ch4 regular; like Horner is on Sky)Ian Lancs said:
I nearly asked Paddy who - not seen him interviewed for ages (only tend to watch on Sky in case he's a Ch4 regular; like Horner is on Sky)
Horner is also a regular on C4 too and I've not seen Paddy interviewed on C4 recently either. It's always Claire who does the interviews on behalf of Williams. Claire should be doing less media. Her vacuous management speak does my head in. Maybe that’s all you can do when you’re dead last, mind you. She has presided over a total collapse in performance so would normally be gone but I guess the family name has saved her.
I’d say Rob Smedley got the boot. That whole I’m going to spend time with family doesn’t convince me. He can’t be on major major cash and I’m sure the bonus pool has been pretty dry of late. Probably a payout and some nice press releases from both parties about how brilliant they all are. Everything sounds a tad boiler plate to me.
But I’m sure we’ll know more at the weekend with the paddock rumours in full swing.
I’d say Rob Smedley got the boot. That whole I’m going to spend time with family doesn’t convince me. He can’t be on major major cash and I’m sure the bonus pool has been pretty dry of late. Probably a payout and some nice press releases from both parties about how brilliant they all are. Everything sounds a tad boiler plate to me.
But I’m sure we’ll know more at the weekend with the paddock rumours in full swing.
cuprabob said:
Ian Lancs said:
I nearly asked Paddy who - not seen him interviewed for ages (only tend to watch on Sky in case he's a Ch4 regular; like Horner is on Sky)
Horner is also a regular on C4 too and I've not seen Paddy interviewed on C4 recently either. It's always Claire who does the interviews on behalf of Williams. Horner has personality, like it or loathe it.
Smedley and Massa were like brothers - a team within a team both at Ferrari and Williams. I believe Massa's contract with Williams included a clause they also hire Smedley. It takes time to build that kind of bond - and chemistry which if its not there will not be conducive to harmonious working relationships. regardless of the pushed or walked debate, I doubt Smedley is too bothered.
Vaud said:
Claire seems to be a pretty switched on negotiator at the commercial level (see Toto/Bottas) and is media savvy. They clearly need more technical leadership, but that isn't a TP role.
Small pool of resources in F1 with long lead times on their contracts.
Is she an inspirational leader? That requires a completely different skillset, but necessary to bring about rapid change.Small pool of resources in F1 with long lead times on their contracts.
You have to wonder what could have happened, had Toto been able to take on a key role. Doing a partnership deal with Stroll was probably possible at some time in the recent past. The family needs to hand-on the baton - not doing so will be their undoing. Hass have come from nowhere and shown Williams a clean pair of heels - good management is the key.
Worth remembering that not too long ago, under Claire Williams, the appeared to be in the ascendency. The appointment of Paddy Lowe seemed a smart move to maintain this.
My understanding on the performance of this year's car is rooted in a mis-correlation between CAD/Wind Tunnel/Reality (not uncommon even amongst the leading teams) - a fact spotted way too far into the season to effect any meaningful change.
I can't help feeling that a more experienced driver in at least one of the cars would have spotted this (or contributed to it being spotted) far sooner; probably the first lap of testing.
My interpretation is that CW's hand was forced through economic need.
My understanding on the performance of this year's car is rooted in a mis-correlation between CAD/Wind Tunnel/Reality (not uncommon even amongst the leading teams) - a fact spotted way too far into the season to effect any meaningful change.
I can't help feeling that a more experienced driver in at least one of the cars would have spotted this (or contributed to it being spotted) far sooner; probably the first lap of testing.
My interpretation is that CW's hand was forced through economic need.
StevieBee said:
Worth remembering that not too long ago, under Claire Williams, the appeared to be in the ascendency. The appointment of Paddy Lowe seemed a smart move to maintain this.
My understanding on the performance of this year's car is rooted in a mis-correlation between CAD/Wind Tunnel/Reality (not uncommon even amongst the leading teams) - a fact spotted way too far into the season to effect any meaningful change.
I heard rumoured that the wider cars and wider tyres had caused unexpected issues in some windtunnels but I don't know how true that isMy understanding on the performance of this year's car is rooted in a mis-correlation between CAD/Wind Tunnel/Reality (not uncommon even amongst the leading teams) - a fact spotted way too far into the season to effect any meaningful change.
Vaud said:
Still stroll. They had a long term contract as I understand it, so he will still be paying either a termination payment or paying an annual fee.
I don’t believe that Stroll has become so successful in business by acting dumb. I am certain there will be a performance clause in there. And Williams have certainly failed to perform.The real question for Stroll’s other backers is “Is Stroll junior fit to take a seat in the new Force India?” he has hardly shone against Massa and Syrotkin. A decent chassis will not suddenly propel him into being super-competitive.
rdjohn said:
I don’t believe that Stroll has become so successful in business by acting dumb. I am certain there will be a performance clause in there. And Williams have certainly failed to perform.
It won't be public domain yet but will get reported in some form in Williams accounts next year as it will be a material disclosure for a listed company.I would lay money on them having to reach a settlement figure. It may not be 3 years of sponsorship, but as Stroll are the exiting party Williams will have a strong case. I doubt there is a performance clause for what was already a 2nd division team. They are reserved for the front few and for leading drivers.
Vaud said:
It won't be public domain yet but will get reported in some form in Williams accounts next year as it will be a material disclosure for a listed company.
I would lay money on them having to reach a settlement figure. It may not be 3 years of sponsorship, but as Stroll are the exiting party Williams will have a strong case. I doubt there is a performance clause for what was already a 2nd division team. They are reserved for the front few and for leading drivers.
When the deal was probably struck in 2016, Williams were 6th in the WCC and in the process of signing Paddy Lowe. If I had been doing the deal, my expectations would have been much high than the outcome.I would lay money on them having to reach a settlement figure. It may not be 3 years of sponsorship, but as Stroll are the exiting party Williams will have a strong case. I doubt there is a performance clause for what was already a 2nd division team. They are reserved for the front few and for leading drivers.
thegreenhell said:
The reason that Williams have been able to take on George Russell without any extra Mercedes backing or other money behind him is believed to be because Stroll will still be paying the team next year.
That might explain a comment that Ross Brawn made at a fan event in Spa that Williams were "financially secure".Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff