The New Williams Line up - Webber? (merged)

[QuickSilver]

... and if ifs and buts,
were candies and nuts,
we'd all have a Merry Christmas.
-

[R]

Originally posted by Peter Mallett
Hmm,

Like your thinking there R. Except you forgot Mansell.

Actually I left Mansell out on purpose, as when he joined Williams for 1991 he was no longer promising, he had already been proven good! Though you're quite right, he was probably promising when he joined Williams back in 1985 (before I started following F1).

British he is though, something which underlines the point even further.

[Peter Mallett]

Never saw Hill or Couthard in the "promising" role. But I have the advantage of seeing them in lesser formulae. But I cheered for Hill at every opportunity.

DC just gave up I think.

[R]

At least Hill delivered a WDC for Williams (plus two stunning drives for "lesser" teams - that almost-win for Arrows, plus Jordan GP's first win). I always thought he was a better driver than he was usually given credit for.

DC has shown on occasion that he can fight with - and beat - the best, but has generally had a disappointing F1 career when you think of the equipment he's had at hand.

[Snrub]

Originally posted by Tye
So many drivers and not enough seats. I think Williams should adopt the McLaren two-seater as a possible means of employing the ongoing list of drivers. If so, what do you think of Villeneuve and Montoya, not only in the same team, but in the same car!

That's a great idea. Give both drivers a steering wheel and they can fight each other on every corner.

[Teretonga]

If webber goes to Toyota then Coulthard and either Davidson or Dixon. Probably Davidson in the seat and Dixon in the test role being groomed for the seat. I don't think Dixon is particularly enthusiastic about IRL in the long term and his goal is still F1. He would be a better bet than Pizzonia and Gene (who really disappointed me in France) although williams is in a really bad patch right now.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally posted by R
At least Hill delivered a WDC for Williams (plus two stunning drives for "lesser" teams - that almost-win for Arrows, plus Jordan GP's first win). I always thought he was a better driver than he was usually given credit for.

Absolutely.

[Raven]

Webber is the prime target but I'm not sure he is all that keen to join. I think Fisichella could well have the other seat with Davidson going to Sauber.

[Kicking-back]

Fisichella will not be at Williams, I expect.

[Dixie Flatline]

Williams might find it more trouble than it's worth to pick up Webber next season, given that he's contracted to Flav's management deal and apparently Toyota have waved the $$$ signs in front of him. I wonder how that ties in with a rumour I heard that Microsoft is ready to take a plunge on sponsoring Toyota?

As a fan of the mighty JV I'd love to see him back in Formula One with Williams, but there is nothing concrete that I've seen that indicates this is anything more than mere speculation.

I seem to recall a few months ago reading that BMW isn't necessarily requiring Williams to sign up a German driver. Don't know about Allianz, but I think BMW would be willing to accept a driver combination that has a good chance of winning races, rather than a driver combination based on nationality as a strong factor.

At the end of the day, it's all rumour and speculation - until we see the drivers take the grid for Melbourne GP '05, I'll reserve my judgment!

The problem is, the speculation about where drivers go is more interesting at the moment than most of the action you get to see on the TV (don't know whether that's because there is no action, or because the race directors are keen on TGF to the exclusion of all else!).

[Andre the Giant]

Webber and Hulk Hogan.

[Scott75]

Looks like Williams are going to announce the signing of Mark Webber next week according to www.planetf1.com. I hope so and maybe he could start this year and not wait to next year. We shall see.

[ActiveMS]

Hmm having thought webber was definitely going to Williams, I just read an autosport article about Toyota interest and a mark has hinted that he is after a team with long term potential:

"Its not a decision for tomorrow - its a decision for how they are going to cope with the new changes, how they are going to cope with regulations and all sorts of things" (autosport magazine July 8 2004 p8).


IMHO perhaps he has already made his mind up?
But then again, if I was mark I wouldnt want to partner grumpy pants Ralf. Tough decisions for mark over the next month or so..........good luck to him.

[PaulSands]

Be easy to keep on looking good against grumby pants though
Though Toyota is effectively a German team and that could work against anybody who partners him there

[Mark Webber]

I think Mark will be will's bound but I feel Toyota is the way he should go

[300kph]

Then that will be the time to prove how much he can go far...if he can go that far...

[gttouring]

in all fairness lets leave JV (he hasn't done anything in 4 years- much less endear himself to owners and team principles-F1 WDC or not, he is known to be too mucha pain int eh rear to be worth a comeback effort)
but webber- shows well does he have the minerals to race at williams, a top team for sure. i would like a more experienced and quick man there to partner webber, but the subs all are just that subs and 3rd drivers, the rest of the field is spoken for aren't they- panis? not a chance, and da matta- well he can be groomed very well by williams, afterall he hasn't wrecked the car or put a wheel off in any dramatic fashion, webber may be the best choice at the moment, unless they buy out Rubens- any one who can rae nose to tail with schumacher and keep it clean and so close- while holding back has a gift, and little pride - so he is a great asset to anyteam, and with less racers pride to deal with, he is a great gentleman in the seat, no team wrecks anymore.
Alonso's contract is stead for a few years is it?, williams may like him before ferrari get their mits on him, as the team is still strong they will get a few wins after MS leaves for sure....
how did all the webber to williams rumors start anyway? it sounds like a done deal from here, but i am skeptical.
watch frank signs da matta and jeff gordon.
ha ha ha