2614 replies to this topic

[Disgrace]

Colin Kolles set to step aside in Hispania team reshuffle.

It is not clear when the looming management changes will happen, but already Kolles is being strongly linked with a switch to Williams for 2012 – where he could be made team principal.

Karthikeyan to Williams in 2012?

[highdownforce]

When you think that things just can't be any worse...

[Anderis]

But Kolles seems to be a competent person, so I would like to see him in Williams as far as he won't bring Kartikheyan with him.

I wonder if any new sponsorship is secured. If Williams will hire somebody else, he probably wouldn't work for free. So if some more big names are hired soon, that's mean that Williams probably has secured new source of money for 2012. Otherwise they wouldn't hire Coughlan, Somerville, Gillan, Kolles and maybe somebody else just loosing only Michael and Tomlinson. You need money to hire so many acknowledged people.

Edited by Anderis, 30 June 2011 - 16:50.

[midgrid]

Karthikeyan was already Williams' test driver in 2007, so it wouldn't surprise me if he reprised this role if Kolles makes the switch.

[Nustang70]

Isn't Kolles the guy you hire to make sure are the lights and bells function properly on your life-support system?

[1george]

According to Motorsport-total Williams denies any link with Colin Kolles, it's a rumour based in his friendship with Toto Wolff and according to itv-f1 Rubinho wants to stay another year.

[highdownforce]

You guys should take a look of what I've just find:

http://pt.scribd.com...nado-PDVSA-2010 (in spanish)

The link above redirects to the leaked sponsorship deal between PDVSA and Williams.

5.Piloto Patrocinado

5.1 El Patrocinador tendrá derecho a nominar uno o más candidatos para una de las posiciones de Piloto de Carreras del equipo para el periodo desde e incluyendo el día después de la última carrera de la temporada 2010 hasta el final de la vigencia del acuerdo("Piloto Patrocinado"). Todos los candidatos propuestos por el patrocinador deberán ser conductores competentes de carreras que hayan competido con éxito en una serie de carreras de monoplazas. Williams reconoce que el Piloto Patrocinado nominado para latemporada 2011 es Pastor Maldonado.

5.2 Williams podrá a su absoluta discreción determinar el designar a uno de los candidatos como el Piloto patrocinado y para este propósito podrá realizar las pruebas que Williams considere apropiadas. Dicha designación sólo será hecha sí Williams y el Piloto Patrocinado pueden acordar sus propios términos de compromiso. Una vez que un candidato haya sido nominado y designado por Williams, su designación sólo podrá ser terminada por Williams.

5.3 El Sponsor reconoce que Williams podrá a su entera discreción rescindir del piloto patrocinado en cualquier momento durante la vigencia del acuerdo, de acuerdo con los términos de cualquier acuerdo entre Williams y el piloto patrocinado. En dicho caso Williams deberá notificar al patrocinador tan pronto cómo sea prácticamente posible.En cualquier evento, el Patrocinador tendrá derecho a designar nuevos candidatos para la consideración de Williams como reemplazo del Piloto Patrocinado (cada uno de los cualesdeberá ser un piloto de carreras competente que haya competido con éxito en una serie de carreras de monoplazas) para la temporada siguiente. Dicho candidato o candidatos deberán ser propuestos a más tardar el 15 de octubre antes del inicio de la temporada encuestión y Williams determinará a su discreción absoluta decidir designar a un candidato.

5.4 Sujeto a las normas y a las restricciones para pruebas impuestas a los equipos de Fórmula Uno generalmente, y a factores cómo el clima, o daños u otros problemas con sus vehículos, o factores fuera del control razonable de Williams, Williams deberá proporcionar a cualquier Piloto Patrocinado, que sea designado en virtud de esta cláusula al momento de la última carrera de la temporada 2010 con uno o dos días de pruebas en un vehículo de fórmula Uno antes de finalizar el 2010.

The document also makes clear that this is a 5-year deal and in this period the oil company has the right to secure at least one seat from the team to an appointed driver at PDVSA's discretion.

Nothing beyond normality, I'd say. Anyway, we usually don't have this kind of thing 'in hands'.

Edited by highdownforce, 01 July 2011 - 21:46.

[midgrid]

A quick Google Translate (and clean-up):

Sponsored Driver

5.1 The Sponsor [PDVSA] shall be entitled to nominate one or more candidates for the position of racer in the team, for the period from and including the day after the last race of the 2010 season until the end of the term of the agreement ("sponsored driver"). All candidates nominated by the sponsor must be competent racing drivers who have competed successfully in a series of racing cars. Williams acknowledges that the sponsored driver nominated for the 2011 season is Pastor Maldonado.

5.2 Williams may at its absolute discretion determine to designate one of the candidates the sponsored driver and for this purpose may perform the tests that Williams considers appropriate. Such designation will only be made if Williams and the sponsored driver may agree to their terms of engagement. Once a candidate has been nominated and appointed by Williams, his appointment can only be terminated by Williams. [i.e. Williams can make a final choice if PDVSA nominates more than one driver.]

5.3 The Sponsor acknowledges that Williams may at its sole discretion terminate the sponsored driver's contract at any time during the term of the agreement, in accordance with the terms of any agreement between Williams and the sponsored driver. In this case, Williams must notify the sponsor as soon as is practicably possible. In any event, the Sponsor shall have the right to nominate new candidates for consideration as a replacement for Williams' sponsored driver (each of whom must be a competent racer and successfully competed in a series of racing cars) for the following season. The candidate or candidates must be proposed no later than October 15 before the start of the season and Williams may investigate to determine in its absolute discretion to decide to designate a candidate.

5.4 Subject to the rules and restrictions imposed on tests of Formula One teams generally, and factors such as weather or damage or other problems with their vehicles, or factors beyond the reasonable control of Williams, Williams will provide to any sponsored driver who is designated under this clause at the time of the last race of the 2010 season with one or two days of tests in a Formula One car before the end of 2010.

And yes, it confirms what we already knew - that Maldonado is a pay driver supported by PDVSA - but it must make painful reading for any long-term Williams fan!

Edited by midgrid, 01 July 2011 - 22:59.

[OoxLox]

The pain comes from the lack of results since 1997, and having watched Williams build and race some superb cars over the years it's reached the agony stages for some of us in recent seasons. As for pay drivers, it's not something I worry about so long as it means Williams can continue racing and has at least one driver capable of winning. The deal with PDVSA brings in the money, and the staff changes hopefully mean the team can take advantage of that money to build better cars over the next few years. Well, hopefully anyway.

[Timstr11]

You guys should take a look of what I've just find:

http://pt.scribd.com...nado-PDVSA-2010 (in spanish)

The link above redirects to the leaked sponsorship deal between PDVSA and Williams.

Woah! This is nasty. A running sponsor contract including the detailed financial terms leaked.
Won't be long before the hosting site is threatened with legal action.

[Carlo's]

So we have a couple of new factors in Williams:
-Coughlan (I guess head of FW34 project)
-Gillan (aero - former Toyota employee)
-Sommerville (head of aero project of R31)
-Renault engines

It looks very good for Williams, FW34 should be a very interesting car. And...future of Barrichello is not so bright, there are some talks behind the scenes with other drivers.

[KoezhVukotic]

And...future of Barrichello is not so bright, there are some talks behind the scenes with other drivers.

Where did you get that from? From what Rubens and Parr have said it looks like they will be keeping him

[Carlo's]

Well, this is official news, but there is an option for one of the drivers. If nothing happens with him, then Barrichello is the first choice.

[seltaeb]

I think that Williams will keep Rubens for sure. And I think that with all of these changes in the works, Rubens would be happy to stay with the team. He had been publicly asking for deep changes at Williams all year. In the past few months, these decisions have been taken. It seems that everyone at the factory is in good spirits, and I think Rubens could be a big help with next year's car. Having the Renault engine is going to be nice... now if they can get the aero sorted, I have high hopes for the FW34.

[1george]

I think that Williams will keep Rubens for sure. And I think that with all of these changes in the works, Rubens would be happy to stay with the team. He had been publicly asking for deep changes at Williams all year. In the past few months, these decisions have been taken. It seems that everyone at the factory is in good spirits, and I think Rubens could be a big help with next year's car. Having the Renault engine is going to be nice... now if they can get the aero sorted, I have high hopes for the FW34.

An experienced dirver and a "wild" one use to be a good mix.

Could somebody explain the main differences between a Chief Operations Engineer (Mark Gillan) and a Chief Engineer (Mike Coughlan)? and Who do you think is going to be the new Technical Director?

[Clatter]

I think that Williams will keep Rubens for sure. And I think that with all of these changes in the works, Rubens would be happy to stay with the team. He had been publicly asking for deep changes at Williams all year. In the past few months, these decisions have been taken. It seems that everyone at the factory is in good spirits, and I think Rubens could be a big help with next year's car. Having the Renault engine is going to be nice... now if they can get the aero sorted, I have high hopes for the FW34.

He hasn't really helped much with this or last years car, why think he will bring any extra to the car next year?

[Force Ten]

He hasn't really helped much with this or last years car, why think he will bring any extra to the car next year?

How do you exactly know?

[RF1 fan]

Do you know if AT and T will stay as a title sponsor in 2012?

[seltaeb]

He hasn't really helped much with this or last years car, why think he will bring any extra to the car next year?

Over generalized statement. This year has been a disaster, granted. But if you look at 2010, you don't think Rubens helped get that car into the points? What about the 4th place finish in Valencia? What about consistently getting the car into Q3 in the second half of the season?

I think that the FW33 is so bad that there isn't a driver on the grid that could fix it. It's a bad car and the updates that the team are coming up with are not working. I don't think the drivers can be faulted for that. The aero department hasn't been able to get it together. Hopefully these recent signings will change that.

[Clatter]

Over generalized statement. This year has been a disaster, granted. But if you look at 2010, you don't think Rubens helped get that car into the points? What about the 4th place finish in Valencia? What about consistently getting the car into Q3 in the second half of the season?

I think that the FW33 is so bad that there isn't a driver on the grid that could fix it. It's a bad car and the updates that the team are coming up with are not working. I don't think the drivers can be faulted for that. The aero department hasn't been able to get it together. Hopefully these recent signings will change that.

I think the drivers role in improving the car is greatly exaggerated.

[seltaeb]

Fair enough. Then to approach this differently, I would suggest that having a driver like Rubens is more beneficial than a brand new F1 driver because Rubens will have a deeper (and quicker) understanding of why things are happening. He may not have the PhD knowledge in aerodynamics to fix the problem, but I think he can get out of the car and say what the problem is. Younger, less experienced drivers will get out of the car and say, "we need to analyze the data." We meaning 'the engineers' on the laptops back in the truck or in the factory.

So when you have a team trying to fit many new elements together - new engine, new aero guys, new technical leadership - then it helps to have an experienced driver to help them gel. Looking at Williams' prospects for the FW34, I think Rubens would be the best choice to maximize the potential of the new partnerships in year 1.

Edited by seltaeb, 05 July 2011 - 16:29.

[Sevach]

It could. Then again, just improving on this year would be a nice start.

Since the '34 looks so much more promising than the '33, the question has to be asked: when are we giving up this year's development program to focus on 2012?

As far as i understand, Mike Coughlan is working on it already, ever since he started at Williams.

Michael and Tolimson are still in charge of the 33. (it's hard to expect a lot of evolution on it given the situation imo).

Could somebody explain the main differences between a Chief Operations Engineer (Mark Gillan) and a Chief Engineer (Mike Coughlan)? and Who do you think is going to be the new Technical Director?

Again as far as i understand, Chief operations engineer (Gillan) is more about on track, race weekend, strategy etc... Doesn't mean he won't be important at the factory of course.
Chief engineer (Coughlan) is predominantly factory based work, car design.

Technical director? i don't know... it's even possible they won't name someone Technical diretor.

Edited by Sevach, 05 July 2011 - 16:45.

[Buttoneer]

Moved the Renault engine deal discussion out to its own thread as it's clearly not FW33 technical and that sort of big news deserves its own thread rather than being lumped in the with usual highs and lows of a season.

http://forums.autosp...howtopic=150801

[Tufty]

As far as i understand, Mike Coughlan is working on it already, ever since he started at Williams.

Michael and Tolimson are still in charge of the 33. (it's hard to expect a lot of evolution on it given the situation imo).

Agreed.

Again as far as i understand, Chief operations engineer (Gillan) is more about on track, race weekend, strategy etc... Doesn't mean he won't be important at the factory of course.
Chief engineer (Coughlan) is predominantly factory based work, car design.

Technical director? i don't know... it's even possible they won't name someone Technical diretor.

Perhaps Chief Engineer incorporates the role of TD, at least within Williams.

[intothepits]

FW33 is terrible... No driver would be able to get that in the points.... Apart from a certain Rubens Barrichello! Who has yet again beat a current GP2 champ...

The guy is getting on, but some of you Rubens doubters should also call for Schumacher's retirement...

Barrichello... a guy that has big experience and can still go with the young guys and win against them... I love how Rubens destroyed 'the next Hamilton' in 2010 and yet people are still calling for retirement.... Ridiculous... Time to get a grip.

Loving the sound of the new Renault partnership, and Rubens could really be a force to be reckoned with if he's in a decent car... Even if it won't be that great next year he's still a force to be reckoned with and he will really help develop the car if it proves to be good.

Edited by intothepits, 06 July 2011 - 00:03.

[MaxisOne]

He hasn't really helped much with this or last years car, why think he will bring any extra to the car next year?

This is the most dumb statement ive seen in a while

The man isnt an engineer nor is he an aero guy .. You want him to sit at the CFD machine and windtunnel computers and tell the operators how to do their jobs or do it for them?

Additionally .. ive seen Rubens wring some decent pace out of last years car so i dont buy that argument of not bringing anything extra to the car either last year.

This years car car is a certified dog and no amount of driver experience and / or set up expertise can dial in a second plus worth of pace in a current Formula one car. Especially when the car is .. like i said before ... a certified dog. Which is why he was one of the first to call for some deep changes.. It seemed like hes being a big whine baby but he was right after all considering the changes we are now seeing at Williams.


He deserves at least one more crack at the wheel .. in my humble opinion.

[intothepits]

I like your post... But the guy deserves more than 'one' more crack at the wheel.... If Schumacher can remain in the sport at 42 or 43 or however old he will be in 2012, then so can Rubens.

Don't you Ferrari/Schumi fans come out with "But he's 7 times WDC" either because that was due to the number 1 status in a dominant car and Rubens is still hungry for success..... And it may sound a bit sad.... But he's actually out for a WDC still and he could win if he was in the right car..... Let Rubens drive and show what he's got.

2009 - Brilliant qualifying sessions unfortunately not getting the edge of Jenson throughout the whole season, but I think we should face it that Brawn wanted Jenson to win the title, and not Rubens.... Even though Rubens in the second half of the season really did stick it to Jenson and showed a real fighting champion spirit. Rubens achived 2 wins here and was really fighting in the second half of the season when he moved onto the same break system.

2010 - Many thought that Hulk (the next Hamilton) was going to beat him..... But nope.... He trounced the next Hamilton and beat him fair and square.... The 2010 Williams car was average mind.... Yet he still did a stella job that year.... Even only being one position behind his old team mate Schumacher in the WDC in a far un-superior car than the Merc.... Imagine if Rubens was in that Merc... Would have matched Rosberg and also been much higher than Scumy.

2011 - I'm liking Maldonado's pace... Yet again.... Rubens is the one earning the points in a lacklustre car.

Rubens can still go with the best of them.... Give him a good car he'll perform and earn you some points.

Keep this guy in F1!

Edited by intothepits, 06 July 2011 - 00:34.

[MaxisOne]

I think your mis reading my post .. i said AT LEAST one more crack at the wheel as in he should be allowed to extend his contract for at least 1 more year..

No need to bring Schumacher into the discussion ... he won his titles and i find Rubens bitterness about it quite amusing considering he himself allowed it to happen. Regardless, that's water under the bridge so lets leave it at that because i can tell we both agree Rubens is worth his salt at Williams at the moment.

Edited by MaxisOne, 06 July 2011 - 00:52.

[Disgrace]

Michael and Tolimson are still in charge of the 33. (it's hard to expect a lot of evolution on it given the situation imo).

Indeed. Even new personnel who join before the beginning of the season cannot make an impact on that seasons car. Examples: Newey in 1997 and 2006, Brawn in 1996, Bell at Mercedes 2011. By that point, it's already too late. This is still Michaels car until the end of the season, no impact from new signings will be made until next season.

[SpeedRacer`]

Indeed. Even new personnel who join before the beginning of the season cannot make an impact on that seasons car. Examples: Newey in 1997 and 2006, Brawn in 1996, Bell at Mercedes 2011. By that point, it's already too late. This is still Michaels car until the end of the season, no impact from new signings will be made until next season.

Newey's first RB wasn't too great either. It takes time for changes to take effect

[roadie]

Some news for upgrades over the weekend:

http://www.f1fanatic...ds-barrichello/

“We have plans to improve the car – new front wing, new floor, new everything, new suspension – that, hopefully, will move us forward in a direction that we want. We want to finish the season in the top six all the time.”

Sauber, Force India and Toro Rosso are the team’s “targets” according to Barrichello.

Barrichello said the team have struggled to correlate wind tunnel and track performance with the FW32: “The biggest thing that we need to address is the translation from the wind tunnel to the track. That’s the biggest thing we have to do.

[Francesc]

None of them will work.

[Clatter]

This is the most dumb statement ive seen in a while

The man isnt an engineer nor is he an aero guy .. You want him to sit at the CFD machine and windtunnel computers and tell the operators how to do their jobs or do it for them?

Additionally .. ive seen Rubens wring some decent pace out of last years car so i dont buy that argument of not bringing anything extra to the car either last year.

This years car car is a certified dog and no amount of driver experience and / or set up expertise can dial in a second plus worth of pace in a current Formula one car. Especially when the car is .. like i said before ... a certified dog. Which is why he was one of the first to call for some deep changes.. It seemed like hes being a big whine baby but he was right after all considering the changes we are now seeing at Williams.


He deserves at least one more crack at the wheel .. in my humble opinion.

I know he isn't, hence my comment. Maybe you should read all the posts before you vent your spleen on just the one.

[1george]

Some news for upgrades over the weekend:

http://www.f1fanatic...ds-barrichello/

“We have plans to improve the car – new front wing, new floor, new everything, new suspension – that, hopefully, will move us forward in a direction that we want. We want to finish the season in the top six all the time.”

Sauber, Force India and Toro Rosso are the team’s “targets” according to Barrichello.

Barrichello said the team have struggled to correlate wind tunnel and track performance with the FW32: “The biggest thing that we need to address is the translation from the wind tunnel to the track. That’s the biggest thing we have to do.

Very interesting the motivational Rubinho's words. From now, finishing both cars in the top six would mean 176 points... Williams would finish ahead of Renault and Mercedes! wow!

If the team have struggled to correlate wind tunnel and track performance with the FW32, I would say thet they got mad with the FW33

Being more realistic, I expect to do a decent job until the end of the season no matter too much about the results, if they are good, very welcomed. Tend to doubt about the motivation of Sam Michael and Tomlinson until the end. One thing is to be professional at job and another one is to keep the motivation at everyday job given the circustances.

And keep the energies, investing the right money at the right direction for the 'fresh-air' FW34. Hard work means success, this always has been the philosophy of the team, at least as I understand Williams since I was a kid.

[MaxisOne]

I know he isn't, hence my comment. Maybe you should read all the posts before you vent your spleen on just the one.

Maybe you need to learn to write what you mean properly since myself and two others responded the same way in regards to your post ..

[Collective]

Very interesting the motivational Rubinho's words. From now, finishing both cars in the top six would mean 176 points... Williams would finish ahead of Renault and Mercedes! wow!

If the team have struggled to correlate wind tunnel and track performance with the FW32, I would say thet they got mad with the FW33

Being more realistic, I expect to do a decent job until the end of the season no matter too much about the results, if they are good, very welcomed. Tend to doubt about the motivation of Sam Michael and Tomlinson until the end. One thing is to be professional at job and another one is to keep the motivation at everyday job given the circustances.

And keep the energies, investing the right money at the right direction for the 'fresh-air' FW34. Hard work means success, this always has been the philosophy of the team, at least as I understand Williams since I was a kid.

I think he was referring top six teams. Otherwise the subsequent reference to Sauber, FI and TR being targets lacks any sense.

[Clatter]

Maybe you need to learn to write what you mean properly since myself and two others responded the same way in regards to your post ..

Lack of understanding and reading all the posts is your problem.

[MaxisOne]

Lack of understanding and reading all the posts is your problem.

Your comment was as clear as day and the respondents to your comments responded the very same way i did .. so whatever .. if you dont like it you can either correct your initial comment to show CONTEXT or simply: .... shooo ..

The two immediate comments following yours was exactly in the same line of argument as mine. The fact that my comments left you ******** is not my problem.

Anyways ... back to discussion of the car.. its a GP weekend after all ..

Edited by MaxisOne, 07 July 2011 - 23:14.

[Sevach]

Looks like the FW (i'm not sure wether it's the Canada one or a slightly altered version of it) is gonna be kept this time.

[MortenF1]

My impression of Kolles and Sir Frank Williams, and also Head, is that they are worlds apart, personality-wise. I'd be shocked if Kolles would get any kind of position at Williams.

Funny when Williams did that Hip-hop-ish move to the camera!

[Lord Snooty]

Still in discussion about Rubens for next year?



http://twitter.com/#!/F1Feeds

"Frank Williams précise qu'il n'est pas encore pressé de renouveler Rubens Barrichello pour 2012", "Frank Williams specifies they are not yet in a hurry to renew Rubens Barrichello for 2012."

Personally, I hope they hurry up and renew as Rubens still has a lot to bring to the table....

[MortenF1]

Why would they need to be in a hurry? With all due respect, there's not exactly a fight to secure Barrichello's autograph on the dotted line.
Have him wait, let it drag out, and offer him a contract with either a cut in his salary, or atleast no rise.
Williams will have several drivers to choose from, to put alongside Maldonado.

Parr has sounded keen, Sir Williams a bit less so, or bordering on being totally luke-warm to the subject.

[Lord Snooty]

Why would they need to be in a hurry? With all due respect, there's not exactly a fight to secure Barrichello's autograph on the dotted line.
Have him wait, let it drag out, and offer him a contract with either a cut in his salary, or atleast no rise.
Williams will have several drivers to choose from, to put alongside Maldonado.

Parr has sounded keen, Sir Williams a bit less so, or bordering on being totally luke-warm to the subject.

Well, thats certainly the Enzo route of driver management; again, in my view, unless the driver is obviously off the pace, or unless there is a much better option on the table, consistency is a better option. It means the team and the driver are less distracted and they can jointly focus on current and future developments. Pastor is locked in as part of the sponsorship deal, but why change Rubens?

[MortenF1]

I partially agree; Barrichello is a great driver, and a very solid pair of hands and above all a very reliable reference point for the engineers. However with Maldonado matching him, the decision-makers will at one point ask themselves if one among the other drivers knocking on their door, is faster.
Take Glock for instance. I'm sure his manager(s) have approached Williams and I'm sure they feel, if I'm right then, that he has to be considered.

[Lord Snooty]

I partially agree; Barrichello is a great driver, and a very solid pair of hands and above all a very reliable reference point for the engineers. However with Maldonado matching him, the decision-makers will at one point ask themselves if one among the other drivers knocking on their door, is faster.
Take Glock for instance. I'm sure his manager(s) have approached Williams and I'm sure they feel, if I'm right then, that he has to be considered.

Actually, that's a good point too; I wonder who is coming along knocking on Frank's door now the Renault engines are slotted for next year.

[SpeedRacer`]

Adrian Newey and Sam Michael in the Williams motorhome...

http://yfrog.com/kiz31bnj

[hogstar]

It's obvious that Rubens hasn't impressed the team too much this season, but since when has Frank been impressed with his drivers?

[MortenF1]

Actually, that's a good point too; I wonder who is coming along knocking on Frank's door now the Renault engines are slotted for next year.

I'm sure Nicholas Todt will be sounding them out too, in case Ferrari wont agree to an extension for Massa. That means both his F1-drivers in the same team. Kovalainen, what about him? I think he's got a contract for next season and he seems totally happy where he is.

It's obvious that Rubens hasn't impressed the team too much this season, but since when has Frank been impressed with his drivers?

Hehe, true. Probably not since 1980 and Alan Jones.

Edited by race addicted, 09 July 2011 - 11:49.

[Boing 2]

great pace in Q1 so far!!!