7 replies to this topic

[August]

The good pace in 2014 after difficult 2013 made me think about the future of Williams. I wanted to bump this old thread but it was locked:

 

http://forums.autosp...ck/?hl=williams

 

Williams have a great car for this season. But can they keep this level to the next season or even improve?

 

I'm a bit pessimistic about 2015. RBR, Merc, McLaren, and Ferrari have been in the recent years the teams that produce good cars every year, Williams (and Sauber) had a good car in 2012 and 2013 was worse. On the other hand, this is the 2nd worse year in row for McLaren and Ferrari seems to be in a downhill. Also, RBR haven't been too impressive. A good midfield team can find themselves high in the WCC if some of the top teams fail also next year. But can Williams build as good a 2015 car as the 2014 car?

 

At the moment, I expect them to be an upper midfield team in 2015. At least some of the underperforming top teams will get their act together, so I'd be surprised to see Williams higher than 4th in the 2015 WCC. I believe the Merc engine will help them in the midfield battle and they should find themselves ahead of Lotus and STR. If everything went well, they could be the 2013 Lotus, a midfield team battling against the top teams. But if everything goes wrong, Williams might have another 2013 season.

 

As for their medium-term future, I think they are financially more stable than the likes of Sauber, Lotus, and FI. That means every day isn't fighting for survival for them. Besides I believe that should be an advantage for them if a car manufacturer is looking for a works team among current midfield teams. But they should also do well on track to impress car manufacturers. They currently have the Mercedes engine that's obviously the best one available but I doubt they will become a true title contender as Merc's works team. The own team will always be Merc's priority. But the great Merc engine should help them to position themselves as a well capable team that'd attract car manufacturers to make them a works team. If they got a works deal, then they should be able to be a title contender.

[pizzalover]

If they can end the season with the 2nd quickest car package, that will attract drivers.

 

They need a S**t hot driver. Not sure if Bottas or Massa fit the bill.

[Francesc]

If they can end the season with the 2nd quickest car package, that will attract drivers.

 

They need a S**t hot driver. Not sure if Bottas or Massa fit the bill.

 

Williams don't need to attract drivers yet, they need to attract sponsors.

[metz]

Even after getting pole on Saturday, it didn't happen.

I then realized that Williams is facing an impossible task, trying to put a smile  on Frank's face.

Hasn't happened in 20 years.

[DanardiF1]

If they can end the season with the 2nd quickest car package, that will attract drivers.

 

They need a S**t hot driver. Not sure if Bottas or Massa fit the bill.

 

Bottas is class. Only in his 2nd season and already looks the real deal.

[Molo19]

Bottas is class. Only in his 2nd season and already looks the real deal.

starting to look anyway if he can maintain his current consistence while improving on his attack. so far he's been somewhat lacking in the flair department. first podium bodes well for him.

[xflow7]

Even after getting pole on Saturday, it didn't happen.

I then realized that Williams is facing an impossible task, trying to put a smile  on Frank's face.

Hasn't happened in 20 years.

 

Huh?

 

 

Edited by xflow7, 22 June 2014 - 19:12.

[xflow7]

Williams don't need to attract drivers yet, they need to attract sponsors.

 

In reality, they need both.  From where they are sitting, in spite of the results, it's risky for a first-rate driver without a first-rate sponsor and it's risky for a first-rate sponsor without a first-rate driver. (NB:  Bottas looks promising, but jury's still out).

Which means the game is to show enough consistency of strength season-to-season that you can put together a combined deal with a top driver and a sponsor as a package deal.  They need another season like this one and then they have a shot at putting a deal like that together.

 

"Hey Fernando, we've got a deal with Coca-Cola for 5 years, $500M if you're with the team."

 

"Hey Coca-Cola, Fernando will come drive for us if you come on board for 5 years, $500M"