No chance to have a great result as this again, our car loves street/ high downforce tracks. At Fuji Q3 is posible and a point too, China no chance I think, and Interlagos some points have to be the target

A podium may be a long shot, but we were pretty good in low-downforce conditions at Monza. I am certainly more hopeful of more points than I was.

Francesc I think that this car shares many of the same qualities of last years, where we were on track from a fantastic result in Fuji, ok maybe not so much China (which unfortunately coincided with my visit to Williams HQ to watch the race) and Brazil delivered us one of our best results of the season!

There are points coming our way yet (please don't let me have jinxed us!), maybe not second places, but a few good ones!

If i want one team to go back to winning ways, its Williams. Heres to hoping theyll mix it up with the big boys again in 2009! Who knows their KERS system will be a fearsome one.

Reuters

anyone knows what's the sponsorship situation for Williams in 2009?

I heard rumors that Petrobas is going to Honda (hopefully not) and not sure if we'll be able to get a few new ones or other existing ones are staying eg. Lenovo / Air Asia / Philips

I reckon the 3 big ones: RBS / AT&T / Webbs & Pippin should be remaining with Williams in 2009.

If Petrobas leave Mobil 1 is likely to come with us

Mobil 1? are they departing McLaren?

and if we can get Mobil 1 on board, we should try to lure Canon back too.

Williams is willing to sell its hybridtechnique outside the autosport world. Through Automotive Hybrid Power (the company they bought) and with the support of sponsor Philips they're starting a marketing campaign broadcasting commercials on Eurosport from today onwards.

Not bad on their part. From what I understand, the biggest problem facing hybrid technologies (and other alternative energy plans) for road cars, is what to do with the batteries? This is terms of disposal (when taking life cycle environmental effects into consideration), cost and packaging. Essentially the same issue facing f1 teams now.

The biggest application for this HAS to be 18 wheelers as well as large transport vehicles. The amount of torque generated by those vehicles and the loss of energy in reference to fuel expenditure is very large.

Philips has just widened and extended the partnership with the team.

Allianz is said to fancy a move to BMW Sauber though.

---------

Michael on Formula 2: ''We've established a whole new department for it. It will be lead by Head and will operate completely independent from the Formula 1 team. We've also taken up some new people for this project.''

I would not be surprised German company German team

well, I've a feeling that Allianz doesn't contribute much to the team anymore, you can hardly see their logo on the car or mechanic's uniform these days.

if we want negativity we'd go to the RBR threads.

It's better to don't expect too much, so then the surprise is bigger if something good comes ;)

No I don't agree, every new season I think that this could be the year when we finish 1st or close by. This season after the start in Oz I thought I was on to something!!!

Last years before the start of the season I used to expect wins, but now I'm used to be cautious

I guess having followed Williams since late 70's, I know that things can change pretty quickly. You should never lose the faith. Looking forward to Japan, you just never know, and 2009 is another season!

It is always best to be optimistic with F1, you just never know what is going to happen. There will be one or two surprises yet from the midfield pack in the last three races.

According to Nelson they didn't even use it :\ : ''It's for tracks where less downforce is required. We're still lacking downforce on the fact circuits. That's the cognisance of the season. The result at Singapore fits in with that picture.''

Has Williams been testing anywhere since the last race?

Some rumors suject that Williams could use Mercedes Benz Engine coming soon

Given that Mercedes is rumoured (according to Autosport) to be negotiating a deal with Force India right now, I doubt that they would take on two new engine supply deals at once.

Thanks AFCA

If Williams wants to get big results, they need to make big change and the Engine is one of those.

the engine is imortant, but I don't think the toyota engine is too much down on power.
williams have been chasing handling issues related to aerodynamics since adrian newey left the team...
that is where they need to gain most.

Ok, According to Fernando Alonso, Renault`s Engine is three tents more slow then Mercedes Benz, Ferrari and BMW Engines, Toyota isn`t close to those engines.

Like I said, if they wants big results they need to make big changes.

Interesting - I assume this doesn't help: RBS under state control:

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/busi...icle4932250.ece

engines are tobe "equalised" next year, might be good not to have a merc engine...
williams get there engines for free iirec, in exchange for running kazuki. and hes a decent peddler... i think all the engines are really similer now anyways, cant be much difference packaging wise

Petrobras seems to be leaving at the end of the year indeed. I wonder which fuel/lubricant supplier Williams is going to team up with. It might be ExxonMobile like McLaren...

Is there a possibility that there could be a switch to ESSO like ToyotaF1?

Yeah why not...Toyota and Williams have tight bonds.

Right, the team needs 4 points over RBR to take 7th in the WCC and some more prize money. The car went very well in Brazil last year, can they do it? My gut feeling is no, but I think it's going to be a great race right the way down the field.

I think they only need 3 points over RBR, because Nico got them two podiums and one of those was a 2nd place. It's possible but not an easy job.

I think there's no chance to score if McLaren, Ferrari, Renault, BMW and Toyota/STR finish the race as they are quite competitve atm, I'm already looking forward to first pre 2009 tests

Me too, this season is over since the team stop the development of the car just after canada, and the biggest mistake was retake after a poor performance during the three next race.

Yeah, now it's easy to say it, but it was a bit stupid to retake development on FW30 just for a new front wing that doesn't give any beneficit at tracks like Singapore or Monza and which is maybe only 1 tenth faster than the old one

Michael: "This season has not gone as well as planned. F1 is competitive throughout the grid, but regardless of that as a team we haven't done a good enough job," he stated. "We didn't plan to drop from fourth in the constructors' and we must correct that now.

"I think the main thing for 2009 is to do better than this year. We want to at least get back towards the top pack.

Asked why they have slipped back, Michael picked out two reasons: "Firstly all the teams have had ups and downs in terms of performance - regardless of where they are on the grid,"

"The difference with Williams is that we have failed to score points at the tracks where we are strong - places like Monaco and Montreal - and it doesn't take much to see that those points would have made a significant difference to the outcome in the constructors' table.

"We probably wouldn't have been in a position where we could finish fourth but we would have been higher up than where we are at the moment.

"Secondly we have devoted a lot of resources towards the 2009 car development because the rule changes are so big. As such we haven't been developing the FW30 for quite some time.

"Furthermore while I am sure others are well on with 2009 as well - and it is nothing to get excited about - re-learning how to control the principle flow structures around the car is no small task. If you are not on with it early you will be losing in 2009. That is just the aerodynamics too. There is also a need to understand the slick tyres and sort out KERS [Kinetic Energy Recovery System]. There are a couple of reasons then for why we have potentially gone backwards. But it is our job now to correct that next year."

About Nakajima: "He has scored more points this season than a lot of other drivers' that have more experience than him. He has done okay for his first year. Next year we will really see if he can step up because he will know all the tracks," Michael told Crash.net Radio in an exclusive interview.

"He will take stock over the winter. I have seen it many times before with a rookie where they have their first year and then have the winter break and come back into the second year very strongly.

"I am quite sure that will happen with Kazuki as well. He is a survivor. You have only got to look at the difficult races, where there has been bad weather and safety cars and he is always there."

As for the decision to stick with an unchanged driver line-up, Michael added that will definitely help them, especially with the rule changes next year being so extensive.

"It will help a lot because '09 is going to be quite a big technical challenge dominated by aero development but followed closely by tyres and KERS. Being able to concentrate on that technical side of the car and not drivers' will assist us. We will also have the same test driver in Nico Hulkenberg and all that continuity is very positive," he summed-up.

crash.net

Translated Q&A with Rosberg:

Q: When you look back at the season so far then what is preponderant: the two podium spots in Melbourne and Singapore or the dissapointments in between ?
Rosberg: ''Very clearly the dissapointments in between. I had definately hoped for more this season, especially that we would clearly make a step forward compared to last season constantly fighting for the points. Unfortunately it turned out to be completely different than was hoped for.''

Q: What are you most dissapointed about ? Especially the lack of technical development from the team ?
Rosberg: ''Exactly that's the point. After the first three races we were still in front of Renault and in Melbourne we were the fourth best team. Then we completely went the wrong way development wise and that was the main problem. Particularly with regard to the aerodynamics we weren't able to make progress with the FW30, and that's the area where the Formula 1 teams normally get the most performance out of the car over a season.''

Q: Can you once more very simply explain what's wrong with the aerodynamics of the car ?
Rosberg: ''The one thing that is very important is the overall downforce of the car. But over the course of a lap the car is presented with different situations in wich different loads have to merge with the aerodynamics. It starts with the ride height: due to the high downforce (that is generated) the car is lower to the ground at high speeds than at lower speeds. The same goes for the roll when going through a corner, which is very different in high and low speed corners. Under braking, in terms of weight distribution, the forces are on the front of the car. Whilst accelerating the axle load moves to the rear. So the car doesn't just need downforce it's also decisive how well the aerodynamics work under these various situations, and that is the weak point of the FW30. The downforce basically isn't stable enough, and therefore we have too much oversteer in slow corners and too much understeer in fast corners.''

Q: This year many teams have complained they cannot get into the optimal operating window of the tyres. Does this also apply to Williams ?
Rosberg: ''No, with the exception of Malaysia we don't actually have any problems with that at all.''

Q: You've been at Williams for three years now. Why is this team having such a hard time finding their way back to the top ?
Rosberg: ''That's a difficult question. I don't think it's related to the personnel. We have very strong people in all areas, the aerodynamics departments included. We have a good windtunnel and we've had a sufficient budget in 2008. So that can't be it. Perhaps something's not right in the communication and the teamwork, perhaps the organisation of the operational procedures is out of place.''

Q: What kind of role does the engine play ?
Rosberg: ''Towards the end of the 2008 season Toyota is more often there where we would like to be. Therefore I should assume that engine wise we certainly don't have a problem.''

Q: How strongly has the way the season went contributed to the misery ? Williams started off with a podium finish. Has that good result blurred the real balance of power ?
Rosberg: ''In any case it has, it was actually a catastrophy. After Melbourne some in the team said: 'now we're going to attack BMW Sauber.' I was rather thinking: let's wait two or three races, only then we know where we really are. And indeed we were not as strong as the result in Melbourne had indicated. It should also not be forgotten that Toyota already beat us in qualifying in Melbourne.''

Q: When did the team finally realise that something wasn't right with the car ?
Rosberg: ''I think after the races in Istanbul and Barcelona it was clear to everyone in the team that we have a fundamental problem in the car.''

Q: And did you, as the number 1 driver in the team, bang your first on the table early enough ?
Rosberg: ''From the start of the season I was really energetic and have clearly thumped the table, already in Melbourne that is. However you also have to admit that for the team it wasn't an easy job to recognise we had a problem with the car. That is to say, the fluctuations in the downforce kept getting stronger over the course of the season: with each aerodynamic upgrade the problem increased a little and in this way also became clearer. Besides, as a driver in the modern world of Formula 1 you're always arguing against the computer: on forehand the simulations and calculations tell you the the car will get better. But when it gets worse instead, it takes a certain time for everyone in the team to acknowledge that something's going into the wrong direction. The engineers are a bit computer-obedient. However that is also with reason because the modern computers are extremely good and powerful. But our aerodynamic problem on track just isn't in line with the calculations of the computers - and that has lead to a delayed acknowledgement of the problem.''

Q: At an early stage many teams have switched their attention to the many changes in the 2009 regulations. How difficult is it for a racing driver to see that less happens on the 2008 car than you wish for ?
Rosberg: ''That is undoubtedly hard to cope with, whereupon I actually always had the hope we would still be making a big step forward this year despite the changes in the regulations next year. Unfortunately that wasn't the case and we simply didn't do a good job as a team there.''

Q: Other teams have actually clearly been able to imporve towards the end of the season, Renault for instance.
Rosberg: ''That's exactly the point: Renault should be a our benchmark because they were our direct competitor at the beginning of the season. They now win races and regularly beat BMW Sauber, that's sheer madness ! And we're in the middle of nowhere.''

Q: In recent years, you as a Williams driver has always been told things will get better next year. Do you still believe these promises ?
Rosberg: ''It gets increasingly difficult to still be thinking positively there. Though for next year I'm reasonably optimistic we'll be having a big chance.''

Q: Because the regulations change in 2009 ?
Rosber: ''Only because of that yes. Otherwise I would have long lost my faith.''

Q: Are you annoyed by the fact that collegues of yours like Vettel, Kovalainen and Kubica have won races this year ?
Rosberg: ''I wouldn't be bothered much If my car was working well. They can win races as long as I can fight for points and drive up front. Now I'm simply nowhere, therefore it's a bit hard indeed.''

Q: At least one big team was very much interested in you last winter. Were you too loyal towards Williams ?
Rosberg: ''With such decisions you always have to draw a clear line. I had a valid contract with Frank Williams and loyalty is an important value, I learned that from my father. Of course there are grey areas and of course you always have to capitalise on them in Formula 1. But for me the signs were such that a stay at Williams was the right way for me.''

Q: Would a change to McLaren have been a good thing ? Hamilton has had a very close relationship with that team for ages.
Rosberg: ''As a driver you first of all want to have a competitive car, that's the highest priority. From that point of view you would have had to accept such an offer if you weren't bound to a contract. With such a line up there's obviously the danger that you will have to play second fiddle in the team. On the medium-term that's not optimal, simply because from the outset you have so many things you have to fight against.''

Q: Since one or two years we're seeing a vast number of penalties in Formula 1. Has the sporty driving style become harder ? Have dirty tricks taken the upper hand ?
Rosberg: ''No I wouldn't say it in that way. I'm of the opinion that some penalties are unnecessary really. For the incidents at Fuji, penalties shouldn't necessarily have been handed out. On the other hand you can penalise for all intents and purposes.''

Q: Should the FIA stewards perhaps be better instructed for their job ?
Rosberg: ''Why would I now say something negative about the work of the FIA stewards ? It will hardly bring me forward personally.''

Q: For instance Alonso has proposed the stewards to be ex-Formula 1 drivers. Would that be an approach to improve the quality of the judgements ?
Rosberg: ''I indeed think that's a good proposal because for an outsider it's often very difficult to asses how unfair or unsportsmanlike an action really is. An ex driver can certainly asses that better, simply because he can better understand things from a cockpit perspective.''

Q: Should such a driver representative be someone that has recently retired or could it also be someone that has already ended his career over twenty years ago, like your father ?
Rosberg: ''My father could do it too, but I hardly believe my father would take up this job.''

Really, really interesting Q&A, Thank you once again
So when they introduced new aero parts the car got worse :\ I hope a design mistake doesn't happen again with the FW31

Similar problem at BMW with CFD-Tunnel-Track correlation. Did i miss something?

There must be a calibration problem with the computer model that they are using.

Problem with CFD (even more so than structural FEM) it is very much dependant on the boundary condition it is given, get the BC wrong and when you make a small change to aero you will suddenly find real world behavior and the results from the model part company.

Initially it wasn't planned for Michael to come to Brasil but at the final moment he asked Head to fly to Sao Paolo nontheless.

Normally it would have been to late for him to get a visa but apperantly Williams would have phoned the Brasilian embassy in London asking to get one quickly. In the end Michael arrived on Friday morning.

I will feel very happy that this season is over to Williams, because this is one of those season that one team need to forget quickly.

The FW30 is a piece of shit, I dont how Nico Rosberg hit two podiums this year with that car.

Yeah, me too, I can't wait for first pre season tests in 3 weeks, I guess the team will run an FW30B with the parts already tested at Jerez like the 2009 rear-end and maybe without the winglets and stuff like this

Looking forward to next season, but at least the FW30 was better than the FW28. We never fulfilled the promise we showed pre season especially in qualifying.

I think this season could have been better, but we have lost points like Montreal and Monaco, also Monza where we seemed to run a very weird strategy. All that said, we couldn't match the development of other teams early on and ended up moving the attention to 2009. On the upside the reliability of the FW30 has been awesome, better than that other year that I have already forgotton. As always I am looking forward to a better season next year, where hopefully we can string some good results together hopefully with both cars. I will enjoy watching the last GP this season, and I hope that we try some different options with the strategy to hopefully finish better than where we will start.

Keep the faith, Go Williams