Discussion
Tyre Smoke said:
Or did they have to stop spending?
Because the cupboard is bare?
I think we have to assume they would know if the money was about to run out before it actually does. At some point they have to make a decision to stop investing in a failed car. Looking at their car Vs everyone else's, I think they probably stopped some time before we saw it. Because the cupboard is bare?
If I were in their shoes, I would have done the same thing too. The way they're setup, the size of the organisation, there is no hope of getting a competitive car with their budget. In the end, all they have to do in order to make millions in profit is to exist in F1. I have no doubt they'd like to achieve more, but they can't. Not until they sell out one way or another.
Tyre Smoke said:
That's simply not true though is it? Otherwise we would still have Caterham and Force India and etc.
If their costs are out weighing their income, then the supply of spares is explained. The lack of spare tubs...
Williams will falter, the money will dry up. They're cashing in on decades in the sport, but in the end sponsorship will dry up for a team that deliver so little.If their costs are out weighing their income, then the supply of spares is explained. The lack of spare tubs...
And for sure their costs outweigh their goals. GR last week said it was about 730 people... That's huge in terms of wage roll alone. With the loose change left, there is sod all chance of putting out a remotely competitive F1 car.
Tyre Smoke said:
Agree. But it's also the support crews, the shipping costs.
If they cannot pay the shipping costs for the fly away races, they aren't going to see the season out. No matter how under developed their car is, or remains.
Quite. They have already scaled back budget as much as is possible whilst still delivering a technically passable car. If sponsorship dries up ahead of 2021, it's game over.If they cannot pay the shipping costs for the fly away races, they aren't going to see the season out. No matter how under developed their car is, or remains.
Next year will be very interesting. I personally think that in reality, Williams are already beyond breaking point.
Petrus1983 said:
I wonder if Toto would ever ‘lend’ some parts to Williams to see how they work out. There’s no loss to Williams as they’re already at the very back, and provides free track time development for Mercedes.
That's really not the way it works, you cannot simply bolt parts from one car to another.Petrus1983 said:
I wonder if Toto would ever ‘lend’ some parts to Williams to see how they work out. There’s no loss to Williams as they’re already at the very back, and provides free track time development for Mercedes.
You mean... Quietly turn Williams into a B team via generosity? I think Frank and Claire might notice what was going on
TheDeuce said:
Petrus1983 said:
I wonder if Toto would ever ‘lend’ some parts to Williams to see how they work out. There’s no loss to Williams as they’re already at the very back, and provides free track time development for Mercedes.
You mean... Quietly turn Williams into a B team via generosity? I think Frank and Claire might notice what was going on
As an F1 fan, I'd prefer the team to survive and continue, even if that meant that it had to be under different ownership, than just crumble and implode as a performance and financial failure.
IN51GHT said:
That's really not the way it works, you cannot simply bolt parts from one car to another.
Actually, you can (assuming the base chassis is designed for it). Large swathes of Alfa Romeo, Haas and Toro Rosso are directly bolted on from their 'parent'. They can't transplant aero directly, however if budget limited teams like Williams could buy in enough from Mercedes, they could concentrate more of their resources into aero and less on unnecessarily bespoke parts.
The current powertrain regs make it very hard for a customer team to outperform a works-engined one. Tuppany teams like Williams should accept that and aim for the realistic goal of being best of the rest, until they could get a works deal.
janesmith1950 said:
The current powertrain regs make it very hard for a customer team to outperform a works-engined one. Tuppany teams like Williams should accept that and aim for the realistic goal of being best of the rest, until they could get a works deal.
Erm apart from Mclaren this year and Red Bull in previous years......... This thread is an ongoing catalogue of Williams mistakes, bad luck and dodgy management. At this time they do not deserve to be clogging up F1, regardless of their history. RK went into the deal eyes wide open so he has spent his money to get the seat. Russell is in the position of having the mercedes safety net so can to a degree relax and concentrate on his driving. SFW will never relinquish control of the team hence his unsuitable daughter is running the show. F1 is a meritocracy and they do not merit being there.
They should go and give some other team the chance to compete
They should go and give some other team the chance to compete
mat205125 said:
Does it become only a matter of time before Williams gets bought up and becomes the Mercedes Tora Rosso?
As an F1 fan, I'd prefer the team to survive and continue, even if that meant that it had to be under different ownership, than just crumble and implode as a performance and financial failure.
If we accept that one day Williams will be sold, however that comes about, then I think it's extremely likely they will become a B team at that time.As an F1 fan, I'd prefer the team to survive and continue, even if that meant that it had to be under different ownership, than just crumble and implode as a performance and financial failure.
No need to worry about the Williams team itself. There has to be 10 teams in the sport, and it's far simpler to buy a team than create a new one. So long as we have F1 we will have Williams Just maybe not a Frank and Claire.
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