10 replies to this topic

[nezza]

It looks like Frank's decision to instigate a Buttongate was an act of politcal brilliance. Why you might think. Well being one of the best talent spotters F1 has ever seen Frank had the confidence that Nico would become the real deal. And not only did Buttongate give rise to birth of Nico's F1 career (as Frank had planned) but it had also increased his bank balence by £20 million. And not only that, Buttongate had many other impacts that Frank had planned. Honda were distracted, BMW were suckers, it gave a masive backside kick to his squad of drivers and most importantly it increased morale within the team.

Here's why. Having lost BMW (no time is good but I suppose a less bad time than others to lose an engine partner just as the regs changed) Frank frankly had few other options. He had to go to Cosworth in order have a hope in hell's chance of winning. They were the only even remotely possible winable option available. And at the end of the day Frank is a racer who wants nothing else but to win. His other options were Ferrari, Toyota or BMW, and all of whom would power their own works teams. Cosworth had developed numerous V8's in other forms of racing and now, free from the commercial restraints of Ford and under the ownership of two Americans who also have racing in their blood Frank knew that Cossie could deliver. It was a good synergy. However the media were speculating that to affored these Cossies Frank had to raise the necessary funds. And so Buttongate part II resumes.

Reflecting on all of this it could be argued that Frank didn't want Jenson at all, he simply wanted tp exploit the fact that both parties had signed a binding contract the previous year in order to raise the funds to sign a deal with Cosworth. He also wanted to destablise Honda in the process and sucker BMW. At this time he also had five driver options,

(1) Webber. Did a good job last term, under contract no reason to waste even more funds by letting go a hard working and dedicated team player. (2) Heidfeld. BMW's main German target. Let him go. Equal to Webber in terms of resulst. Contract was due to expire. BMW can have him as they could get Nico. There is no way they are going to get Nico. (3) Pizzonia- Ordinary, hardly shined when he stepped in for Heidfeld- Let him go. (4) Rosberg jnr- Rookie, on the crest of a wave after a succesful GP2 campaign, massive potential, could go places, no better coach/ mentor than a world champion father. Has to drive next season or his rate of improvement would tail off in the lower formulae or he would join a competitor. The family has historical conection with Williams. (5) Button- Expensive, hasn't been able to win, probably wasn't as talented as Nico at the same age.

Therefore my arguement is that Frank had already decided Nico was the man before he even approached Button. He is the only person who could see Nico's potential and compare it to Jenson's at the same age. Frank had two tools for a winning combo. Now he had to fool and suprise the opposition. He did so with a Willy waving announcement; that Jenson would be driving for them next season.

With Honda having a woeful season it was becoming obvious that they were planning early for next season. A seriously well funded competitor was becoming stronger, how does Frank react? With a contract already signed Frank used this bargaining position to attempt to prize the man Honda's entire 2006 season was based around. Honda's emphasis would then fall on retaining Button's services rather than developing a car around him. In essence Honda's 2006 development was delayed.

Not only that, Frank was shouting high and dry that Button would be gaurenteed a Williams seat. With most of the rest of the paddock waxing lyrical over Jensons qualities, Webber had to improve, or find himself close to being out of a drive. Frank used Nico as the alternative to Webber if his game did not improve. He probably directly mentioned this to Webber. And low and behold Webbers performances did generally improve throughout the season. This reassured the entire team that Webber could be counted upon to deliver.

BMW were sucked into this too. Heidfeld was their man. He was the only notable German available, a pre-requisite for them as a new team. They pursuaded Williams he was the man for the role in the first place, they could not do the dirty on him. With Nick being on a yearly contract Frank didn't even think twice about renewing it. Nick's performances were solid but relatively unspectacular. He wasn't convinced that he would be race winning material. But crucially Frank had a joker... it was Nico. Had Frank tried to fight to retain Heidfeld's services, Keke, with all of his contacts from his days in management with Panis and then when running his own DTM outfit, could have quite easily placed Nico at BMW, especially after his GP2 success. BMW therefore got a solid, unspectacular driver. Williams get a star in the making, and a guy who could turn out to be a Superstar.

Finally having Jenson almost in his back pocket also created a positive atmophere in the Williams team. With questions over the team's funding and future being discussed by the specialist press that was bound to distract employees, Frank reassured them in one fell swoop. He essentially told Williams that they have enough funds to sign Button and on a lucrative contract. Whether WIilliams did or not is another matter, but the employees morale grew instantly as Frank had proved that Williams were not the sinking ship that they were reading and hearing about so often. This also had another effect. Jenson is the darling of British motor racing. People know is is quick. The team realised that if Frank was prepared to invest in a seriously quick driver, they to invest their energies into constructing a seriously quick car.

The plug on this deal was pulled by the courts in Jenson's favour but a financial cost to him and a financial gain to Williams. However if he had the choice I reckon Frank would have pulled the plug himself anyway. Only time will tell if yet another Frank Williams masterstoke comes off. But for the good of sport, I bloody hope it does. So far this masterstoke looks like it could be a blinder.

[rbdwin]

There was no court involvement. Sir Frank agreed to negotiate Button's release after a personal appeal from Button. Sir Frank had, and has, a great deal of respect and affection for Button. He and Patrick Head also have great respect for Button's talent. Add to that Button was the cornerstone of the All-British-Team sponsorship approach Williams planned and many sponsorships they secured were, according to SFW, dependant on Button's driving for them and your theory doesn't hold up.

[HSJ]

Nice analysis. As pointed out above, not necessarily 100% correct, but very interesting in any case and some of it is probably true.

[TickTickBooom]

What a load of old tripe!

Nico's in his fifth year in cars, Jenson was in his third when he went into F1. Nico was in F3 for two years before moving on to GP2, Jenson had one year in F3 before driving for Williams. There's no comparison. Nico, no matter how old he is, has had more experience than Jenson had in his rookie year.

And you say that Frank foresaw this and engineered events to reach the situation we have now? Do you have his mobile number? I need someone to pick out this Saturday's lottery numbers.

[BRG]

Originally posted by TickTickBooom
What a load of old tripe!

Agreed!! Absolute nonsense.

[zac510]

I appreciate the analysis but I think it is somewhat more simple. While SFW did well, in the end everyone got what they wanted. BMW got Heidfeld, Button got Honda, SFW got cash. Everyone is happy.

The only debate is whether you think all parties involved made the best decisions and got the best value for money.

[miniman]

Nietzsche once wrote: "There are no facts, only interpetrations" In this instance I 'll go with Zac510 even though Nezza raised some juicy possibilities.

[Blind Driver]

Arrrrggggggg! Another Formula 1 conspiracy theory. Can't anyone accept things at face value?

Oh, and Cosworth is owned by one American and one Australian.

[AyePirate]

Frank just did the sums. He came out better letting Jenson go than keeping him.

[roadster]

Dare we say that Nico could win one before JB. Probably not, but that would be pretty damn ironic.

[AyePirate]

Nico better hurry if he wants to win this year. I doubt Cossie can keep up with Ferrari, Renault & Merc over the season and Bridgestone may not have an answer for all temps,


Good old Frank got Honda to pay for his engines this year.