Williams F1

[Psimpson7]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

MAP explained it on Sunday night’s episode-there are in fact a large number of parts that can be swapped around cars as although bespoke, they share a lot of ancillary stuff that make up larger bespoke assembly’s.

I find that hard to believe. what did they give as examples?

[HustleRussell]

Things such as brake parts which are made by Brembo or CL and supplied to multiple teams

[Sa Calobra]

Williams need a new boss.

[anonymous-user]

I was told at the weekend she was calling other teams asking to ‘borrow’ some Rohacell, used in structural components, eg tub............

[Munter]

REALIST123 said:

I was told at the weekend she was calling other teams asking to ‘borrow’ some Rohacell, used in structural components, eg tub............

Of course that doesn't mean they don't have 2 cars ready. Potentially this is would be for the spare car in bits in the van.

[sgtBerbatov]

StevieBee said:

sgtBerbatov said:

Fundoreen said:

I held off getting one of those jackets in the sell off they did of martini gear as it was too white. That was another poor design choice by williams and their sponsor.

I bought one, it's been alright actually. Helps if you don't do anything dirty in it.

Such as the carnal ways in which you might help CW cheer up?

I wouldn't say no.

[TheDeuce]

This is hard to believe, they have definitely had time at this stage to order/fabricate whatever they still needed to make the car complete and legal. In F1 terms they've had a lot of extra time now.

If there is any truth to this, it points more at cashflow issues/relationship with suppliers. Both things that have been rumoured in the press - although Claire has since denied such issues.

Whether it's true or not that they're stuck begging for parts, I'm sure there is some level truth that has triggered this latest rumour.

Oh Williams...

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Psimpson7 said:

LaurasOtherHalf said:

MAP explained it on Sunday night’s episode-there are in fact a large number of parts that can be swapped around cars as although bespoke, they share a lot of ancillary stuff that make up larger bespoke assembly’s.

I find that hard to believe. what did they give as examples?

Obviously the most quoted common part is the McLaren ECU, but think about it. We’re often told how aerospace grade all these components are and they can’t fabricate everything to the correct tolerances and test them all.

Connectors, valves, pumps, all will be existing technology tested by individual companies to the spec that Boeing or Airbus (for example) will need.

Even the loom that connects all the electronics will be bought in, if you’re on the stop with a couple of companies the car isn’t going to get far.

[TheDeuce]

REALIST123 said:

I was told at the weekend she was calling other teams asking to ‘borrow’ some Rohacell, used in structural components, eg tub............

Rohacell is used in broader industries beyond F1 and also there are several independent firms capable of machining and fabricating as required using the material.

It's not the sort of thing an F1 team should struggle to get in time. What they needed has to be in stock somewhere and whatever fabrication was needed, someone could have been bribed to get done in time.

That's not to say I don't believe you, it's just extremely puzzling if that was what they were stuck on.

[ralphrj]

TheDeuce said:

REALIST123 said:

I was told at the weekend she was calling other teams asking to ‘borrow’ some Rohacell, used in structural components, eg tub............

Rohacell is used in broader industries beyond F1 and also there are several independent firms capable of machining and fabricating as required using the material.

It's not the sort of thing an F1 team should struggle to get in time. What they needed has to be in stock somewhere and whatever fabrication was needed, someone could have been bribed to get done in time.

That's not to say I don't believe you, it's just extremely puzzling if that was what they were stuck on.

Potentially the team has been put on stop by all existing suppliers for non-payment of invoices and no new ones will give them credit.

[TheDeuce]

ralphrj said:

Potentially the team has been put on stop by all existing suppliers for non-payment of invoices and no new ones will give them credit.

On some level if parts are really still missing then it has to come down to money. You can get just about anything done very quickly so long as you can throw money at it. Obviously things get a lot more expensive if don't give people a reasonable lead time, but you just have to accept that. It's still better to stump up and pay than it is to keep turning up places with an incomplete car... But only of course, if you can afford it..

It could very well be that all the problems really are down to the obvious - money.

[anonymous-user]

TheDeuce said:

REALIST123 said:

I was told at the weekend she was calling other teams asking to ‘borrow’ some Rohacell, used in structural components, eg tub............

Rohacell is used in broader industries beyond F1 and also there are several independent firms capable of machining and fabricating as required using the material.

It's not the sort of thing an F1 team should struggle to get in time. What they needed has to be in stock somewhere and whatever fabrication was needed, someone could have been bribed to get done in time.

That's not to say I don't believe you, it's just extremely puzzling if that was what they were stuck on.

Of course you’re right but It’s what I was told by someone who I have every reason to believe and what was posted here earlier seems to confirm the situation.

[TheDeuce]

I listened to the podcast, it's clearly nearly all opinion and conjecture over fact. That said, they did qualify themselves as repeating 4th hand information, as opposed to being actual journalists. The problem is we don't know what was based on rumours they might have from a reliable source and what was pure speculation.

For me that podcast doesn't prove anything and I'd be wary of repeating any of it as fact. But nonetheless, the more Williams rumours are heard, the more they seem to lead to something genuine being revealed a few days later. So for me I just add this podcast to an increasingly worrying set of negative rumours surrounding Williams.

I don't think Williams have finished letting their fans and themselves down in 2019 just yet.

[TheDeuce]

REALIST123 said:

Of course you’re right but It’s what I was told by someone who I have every reason to believe and what was posted here earlier seems to confirm the situation.

I appreciate that. And I don't doubt your sincerity at all. These things are only rumours until proven, but the inescapable fact, as laid out in my previous post just now, is that these rumours and leaks are mostly appearing to point to what we ultimately find out is fact in some way.

If the missing component really was something as ubiquitous as Rohacell then that points to a team not able to get the most basic of supplies in time. And that may be the case.

I think whatever car and excuses they rock up to Melbourne with, will be quite enlightening for anyone willing to read between the lines of whatever statement Claire inevitably ends up giving to the press.

[HustleRussell]

If they really are scrounging the paddock for parts then I hope they’re receiving a similar reception to that which they have repeatedly dished out to other teams which have fallen on troubled times over the years.

Williams have lived by the sword and if they are to die I hope they die by the sword rather than prolonging this undignified wailing writhing slow death.

Of course I hope they turn it around but I no longer have faith that they can do this without a wildfire reset of their entire ecosystem.

[Fundoreen]

Many ways to see the situation. This business with letting some staff go could be part of the problem.
If it was someone that was in charge of ordering supplies and there was nobody to take over or else
the disgruntled ex employee sabotaged the whole process that could explain a lot.
You hardly come out and tell the world about internal issues like this. You just get on and work through
all these petty annoyances and leave the f1 news starves public to speculate doom and end of world scenarios.

[skwdenyer]

ralphrj said:

TheDeuce said:

REALIST123 said:

I was told at the weekend she was calling other teams asking to ‘borrow’ some Rohacell, used in structural components, eg tub............

Rohacell is used in broader industries beyond F1 and also there are several independent firms capable of machining and fabricating as required using the material.

It's not the sort of thing an F1 team should struggle to get in time. What they needed has to be in stock somewhere and whatever fabrication was needed, someone could have been bribed to get done in time.

That's not to say I don't believe you, it's just extremely puzzling if that was what they were stuck on.

Potentially the team has been put on stop by all existing suppliers for non-payment of invoices and no new ones will give them credit.

Does anyone have a CreditSafe or similar subscription? Mine is long-lapsed, but it would give a steer on whether there are any live issues that haven't bubbled to the surface more widely.

WGPE shows £47m net assets so regular supplier credit wouldn't usually be an issue...

[LaurasOtherHalf]

It was more conjecture but the podcast also made mention of Kubica’s money not coming through on time (is he telling his backers it’s not worth it? He’s been very negative in the press about it) and also the Stolls playing hardball about paying out to Williams what they owe (to get lance out of his contract).

Now, of course we have no way of knowing if this is true-but didn’t Williams block RP/FI from retaining their championship points last season after they went bust?

If so, and they knew they were relying on the new owners of that team on bailing them out with the cash out clause it might have been a bit of a stupid move. To say the least.

Are the Strolls put a strangle on Williams for what they did last season?

[TheDeuce]

skwdenyer said:

Does anyone have a CreditSafe or similar subscription? Mine is long-lapsed, but it would give a steer on whether there are any live issues that haven't bubbled to the surface more widely.

WGPE shows £47m net assets so regular supplier credit wouldn't usually be an issue...

I doubt they'll have official credit facilities with most suppliers - it would make it too easy for other teams to see what they spend with who. I bet one way or another it's all wrapped in complex agreements and assurances.

In any case Williams should be good for the money for what they need. Its more likely to just be a short term cashflow issue, if it even is money related. All we can do is speculate really.

[TheDeuce]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

It was more conjecture but the podcast also made mention of Kubica’s money not coming through on time (is he telling his backers it’s not worth it? He’s been very negative in the press about it) and also the Stolls playing hardball about paying out to Williams what they owe (to get lance out of his contract).

Now, of course we have no way of knowing if this is true-but didn’t Williams block RP/FI from retaining their championship points last season after they went bust?

If so, and they knew they were relying on the new owners of that team on bailing them out with the cash out clause it might have been a bit of a stupid move. To say the least.

Are the Strolls put a strangle on Williams for what they did last season?

This is why is said cashflow maybe more an issue than outright budget.

The situation could be vastly more complex than we can make out but in F1 you can almost guarantee there is more going on behind the scenes than we can make sense of. Having an investor also support your rivals isn't ideal.

Well I say rivals... I'm pretty sure rpfi don't see Williams as a threat at all.