Williams Racing 2021 (Team Thread)

With the 2021 season hopefully underway soon, it would be good to discuss how the team is setup and ready to go.

The Williams website has not been updated and doesn't seem to highlight the team members:

https://www.williams...bout/our-people

With Jost Capito as the new CEO, the team will have an experienced set of hands in the area of motorsports and I hope his experience and contacts will bring a lot to the team:

https://www.bbc.com/...rmula1/55349977

Simon Roberts is the new Team Principle. Seems like a good CV, it will be interesting to see how he manages the team going forward:

https://www.rte.ie/s...at-williams-f1/

On the technical side, who are the key team members?

It looks like 2021 will be yet another team building exercise setting up for a stronger 2022 and 2023, one would hope.

Fingers crossed some points for 2021.

Edited by JordanIreland, 27 June 2021 - 16:32.

Thanks for opening this thread. And I cross my fingers with you.
Williams has made some progress on adding some people on crucial positions. The addition of Jost and the permanent position of Simon is a positive sign.

This is the first season in a while where I'm somewhat positive about what's to come. Points or not, progress can hopefully be seen in many aspects at the team.

Hoping for the best this year just any type of points then I'll be happy.

Hoping for the best this year just any type of points then I'll be happy.

Nice summary video of the Williams/Merc link
https://youtu.be/4PL1k7TpTp4

There's a lot of positivity for 2021, but I don't see it.

There's far too much low-hanging fruit for Alfa and Haas that I fear Williams will be left behind again, even if they do a solid job at adapting to the floor changes.

Edited by Paco, 13 January 2021 - 18:33.

Exactly. Williams only leap them cause of the Ferrari PU which will be much stronger. I think we’re back to 2019 level performance. I doubt 2021 Williams has addressed Claire’s frustration of not being to do what was needed financially... now trying to integrate Mercedes parts will take some time.

The Merc gearbox and such are being acquired from 2022 onwards. Not in 2021.

?  Why?

Oi, there goes 2022 as any hope for life.  

Is that implying the new group doesn't want to learn and invest in 2021 as a test bed for 2022...     again more ridiculous Williams decision.  Why expecft anything esle.

? Why?

Oi, there goes 2022 as any hope for life.

Is that implying the new group doesn't want to learn and invest in 2021 as a test bed for 2022... again more ridiculous Williams decision. Why expecft anything esle.

?  Why?
 
Oi, there goes 2022 as any hope for life.  
 
Is that implying the new group doesn't want to learn and invest in 2021 as a test bed for 2022...     again more ridiculous Williams decision.  Why expecft anything esle.

I suspect, adding such components for 2021 may not yield much benefit as the 2021 car will be totally different to 2022. The merc components are more then likely going to be very reliable and I assume some of the best in F1, so Williams can take that as a given in 2022. Plus Williams will be using merc engine, gearbox and hydraulics, so they will come as a fully tested and reliable package.

Overall, I say it’s down to budget i.e. save their budget to build a better 2022 car. Plus they need to move staff around within Williams within that Department and that takes time.

Edited by Beri, 17 January 2021 - 21:12.

So like Williams, Renault ooops Alpine, McLaren, supposed by this thread Aston Martin... so everyone except the 2 best teams that get it doesn’t work that way...

So only the mid gridders can not race stuff and expects to find time by leaps and bounds by stopping and not running stuff now to understand them. Yeah.. that’s makes all the sense in the world and an effective strategy for future success.

The 2022 car is mechanically identical from I gather. The changes are only aero.

Edited by JordanIreland, 18 January 2021 - 03:55.

Best of luck to them this year. 

Would love to see them genuinely fighting somewhere mid pack at least. 

Button is "back", not sure what he can bring to the team but they are at least making changes

Button is "back", not sure what he can bring to the team but they are at least making changes

I think he brings some good attention, fanfare, and potentially working with Russell to develop. Plus he has some experience racing Hamilton 

Edited by ARTGP, 22 January 2021 - 14:47.

I imagine Button's job will be to swan around the paddock being charming to the media and potential sponsors. He's good at that.

I think he brings some good attention, fanfare, and potentially working with Russell to develop. Plus he has some experience racing Hamilton 

Or convince him how to get into a Merc faster than his current mgmt team is doing?

Just throwing it out there.

Jp

I think he brings some good attention, fanfare, and potentially working with Russell to develop. Plus he has some experience racing Hamilton

Edited by JordanIreland, 22 January 2021 - 18:11.

The pope going to advise to Ferrari...
 

Don’t be silly. As the largest religion in Italy, Ferrari advises the Pope.

I imagine Button's job will be to swan around the paddock being charming to the media and potential sponsors. He's good at that.

Don’t be silly. As the largest religion in Italy, Ferrari advises the Pope.

Williams has always been one of my two favorite teams. At this point I am not sure if this is still the Williams team I loved. I suspect not. Let's wait and see.

He is going to buy himself out of the contract before season begins.

Williams has always been one of my two favorite teams. At this point I am not sure if this is still the Williams team I loved. I suspect not. Let's wait and see.

Button is not my personal cup of tea, but if he helps the team, I’m happy with that.

Quite so.  Button is media-friendly, he will be a popular figure for the TV people to interview, so plenty of positive coverage for Williams.  It is a very sensible decision by them, although I am less sure what is in it for Button.  I thought he was keen on a GT3 racing career?

Quite so.  Button is media-friendly, he will be a popular figure for the TV people to interview, so plenty of positive coverage for Williams.  It is a very sensible decision by them, although I am less sure what is in it for Button.  I thought he was keen on a GT3 racing career?

I'm sure Jenson is fully capable of being a Williams advisor and being a GT3 racer at the weekends as a hobby. It's not like GT3 is going to be his full time racing career right now.

I'm sure Jenson is fully capable of being a Williams advisor and being a GT3 racer at the weekends as a hobby. It's not like GT3 is going to be his full time racing career right now.

They are going to want him at the races, aren't they?  Or is he just going to lurk at the factory mid-week, advising?  He can't race GT3 if he is away at 20 or so GP weekends unless the calendars are very neatly overlaid.

Well, he does Sky F1 punditry for 5-6 races a year so I'd imagine he just does some work with Williams when he's not doing the Sky stuff. I don't see him going to more than half the races

Any other team this year releasing a B-spec? Doesn't sound to reassuring...

Any other team this year releasing a B-spec? Doesn't sound to reassuring...

All the cars will be largely unchanged anyway, it's mostly a matter of naming. McLaren and Red Bull also treat it as B-spec. Haas openly admitted they won't have any new parts beyond what's needed for 2021 rules. 

All the cars will be largely unchanged anyway, it's mostly a matter of naming. McLaren and Red Bull also treat it as B-spec. Haas openly admitted they won't have any new parts beyond what's needed for 2021 rules.

Any other team this year releasing a B-spec? Doesn't sound to reassuring...

I'm not sure why you'd find that not to be reassuring. Wouldn't that be better than the alternative, which is no upgrade at all?

Williams have been fielding b spec cars for a good few years now...

uhhhmmm... this is fake right?

https://mobile.twitt.../RichWilliamsF1

Edited by balage06, 07 February 2021 - 07:58.

uhhhmmm... this is fake right?

https://mobile.twitt.../RichWilliamsF1

I hope so. Dorilton Capital should steer well clear of that company.

I am sure that Dorilton , as a professional investment fund, would understand about due diligence, and would only accept a deal with Rich Energy if that now non-existent company paid up in full in advance.

So in the recent teaser posted on the Williams twitter account, the car doesn't look like it's white. Though I think there's a good chance it'll just be a shakedown/testing livery, as in 2014.

https://twitter.com/...069687597678598

Would be nice to see a change though

According to a story on the main Autosport page, BWT could join Williams as title sponsor for 2021. Haas are also mentioned as well, as a long time Williams fan I hope BWT choose Williams as they deserve the money more than Haas in my humble opinion.

Williams dark blue colour should make a return, it looks amazing! It would work with the Pink from BWT too Hoping my second favorite team on the grid score a point this year