Williams Lose "Aero Willis"

Mania · 29 Oct 2001, 18:57 (Ref:167046)

Courtesy Autosport
http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.cfm?id=17001&series=5

Williams-BMW has announced it has retained the services of star chief designer Gavin Fisher on a long-term contract, but has lost its aerodynamics ace Geoff Willis to British American Racing.

Fisher and Willis stepped in to fill the breach when star designer Adrian Newey left Williams for McLaren in 1997. They have been given much of the credit for turning around the fortunes of the former World Champions in recent years.

Willis will remain with Williams until March 1, 2002, which means his impact on BAR's challenger for next year will be minimal. He is likely, however, to be given 'gardening leave' from Williams so that he doesn't take any new secrets with him to the Brackley-based squad. His replacement will be recruited from within the Grove team's ranks.

Could turn out to be a big blow to the Williams team in it`s quest for the championship in 02.I think Willis is making a stupid career move because BAR will never go anywhere whereas Williams BMW are a sure bet for future glory.

f1manoz · 29 Oct 2001, 23:29 (Ref:167202)

Was it a case of a good career move or will he be getting paid a hell of a lot more money?

facco · 30 Oct 2001, 00:20 (Ref:167218)

Quote:

Originally posted by f1manoz
Was it a case of a good career move or will he be getting paid a hell of a lot more money?

I think both... He is Technical Director at BAR

Roy2 · 30 Oct 2001, 03:21 (Ref:167234)

???

'His move could turn out to be a big blow to Williams.'

'He's making a stupid career move because BAR will never go anywhere.'

To the extent it's a blow to Williams it's a boon to BAR wouldn't you think? Why wouldn't BAR go places if it hires talent like this?

PoweredByHonda · 30 Oct 2001, 05:35 (Ref:167256)

So do you think we'll see an improvement at BAR next season? Or we'll it be like the Adrian Newey affair where BAR will be good the year after?
any thoughts?
But I do think that Willis is not as good as Newey tho

But Go BAR go

Glen · 30 Oct 2001, 09:25 (Ref:167310)

It seems to me that a fundamentally good F1 car is designed that way (ie well) from the ground-up. Therefore it seems unlikely that much could be done for the 2002 BAR, which one assumes is well past the concept stage already.

On the other hand mid-season development is one crucial area where many mid field teams lose out, so perhaps BAR might enjoy better momentum and morale in 2002 - God knows they lacked those qualities in 2001.

Very bad news for Williams though, and could eaily be enough to frustrate their championship hopes - bearing in mind the engineering excellence at Ferrari, and the sheer depth of all resources (including aerodynamics - I read that they have a wind tunnel team working 24/7 if necessary). Mclaren should also have gotten to grips with their new facilities by now, and if Ron Dennis and Adrian Newey have kissed and made up they may well return to number one team, aerodynamically speaking.

**Bononi** · 30 Oct 2001, 12:00 (Ref:167357)

Yes, I think Williams will suffer due to breaking its chain of development, and BAR will start to take advantage of this move, by the second part of the season.

Gt_R · 30 Oct 2001, 12:09 (Ref:167360)

Hmm...is it just me? But i doubt Williams will be largely affected by the loss of Willis. The fundamentals of the car's aero dynamics are completed, with the fine-tuning left to be completed by Willis before testing begins. Which means the car would start without any significant disadvantages. The only thing that might be a little swayed would be it's season aero developement, and i think the replacement would easily plug the hole there.

Speaking of Ferrari's engineering team,rest assure that Mclaren and Williams have equally competent engineering crew to ensure 2002 would be a closely fought affair!

enemy-ace · 30 Oct 2001, 12:49 (Ref:167379)

I think we'll see BAR have a year not unlike Benneton's this year. Which means start off poorly (as they ended this year) and then through season developments start to show some real pace. Gascoyne wasn't able to be instrumental in the design of this years Benneton but we did see his influence in the cars aero tweeks. I just hope I can start to wear my BAR cap a little more proudly.

Hugh Jarce · 30 Oct 2001, 13:00 (Ref:167386)

I reckon its just a career move / development issue for Willis. If you want to progress you have to move up from being one of the 'techies' IN a team to being Deputy Technical Director then Technical Director OF a team ....

To do that you inevitably have to leave a bigger team to gain a higher position in a smaller outfit. The long term hope for these guys is that they make some impression and show themselves to be 'man enough' when the big teams need to appoint.

Good luck to him - I think he'll need it!

BBKing · 30 Oct 2001, 15:21 (Ref:167427)

Finally Pollock is doing something to improve his technical dept. After poaching Ferrari's designer now they got Williamses. Good move. Certainly better than anything jordan has done so far to convince Honda to stick around.

Now the ball is on Honda's side. They have to deliver the engine that can be at least as good as the others in the grid. 2003 is realistically the year when we are going to see the results, but a good pace in the second half of 2002 is not out of question.

Glen · 30 Oct 2001, 15:48 (Ref:167430)

It's ironic, how Jordan and BAR have fought so hard for such a disappointing engine... One can only assume/hope that the new motor is alot better.

Gotta say though - I'd bet on Jordan beating BAR next year too.

BBKing · 30 Oct 2001, 19:56 (Ref:167548)

Jordan and BAR could have not been more evenly matched this season. Panis was DQed from a 2 point scoring position and his apeal failed. That is how much goo Jordan was compared to BAR...LOL

Is not only Willis. They got this guy from Ferrari. If Honda have to decide between one of these teams certainly BAR will have a better cahnce. That is if they are in F1 to win.

Sodemo2 · 30 Oct 2001, 20:12 (Ref:167564)

I must admit, it does make me sick when team personel are "poached" by rival teams. When I heard that Jag tried to get Newey I was angry, I don't like Mclaren or Jaguar, yet it seems as though the only way forward is to steal from other teams.

It pains me to see Williams personnel leaving, as I have always supported Williams, and I think they deserve to do well, as they are a tiny team compared to the massive might of Ferrari and Mclaren.

srinimax · 31 Oct 2001, 11:50 (Ref:167851)

with bmw, williams are right up there. so what if they lost one of their men, they still have great drivers and a gem of an engine. poaching is a way of life in f1 so rather than lament i guess its best to accept it. now williams should look to poach someone as good. any names anyone ?

Speed · 1 Nov 2001, 13:58 (Ref:168329)

Too many industrial secrets come with Willis..., BAR made a nice move.

timbo2001 · 1 Nov 2001, 23:40 (Ref:168554)

I still think, no matter what, Williams will be frontrunners next year. That can be almost guarunteed. BAR will, as you all say, do a "Benneton" next year and improve closer to the end of the year when their new bloke willis starts to work his magic.

Gt_R · 2 Nov 2001, 03:47 (Ref:168582)

If a team has a very weak foundation, one good man wouldn't save the team. Jacques and Oliver has shown that good drivers doesnt make a team, and Willis really have to draw on his experience to LEAD the team if he wants to make any impact at all.

Newey could do well in 98 once he got into Mclaren is because Mclaren's foundations isnt that weak in the first place. Michael understood that the political mess in Ferrari requires not only him, but his trusted team of designer and stuffs, to help Todt and Luca unlock the potential in Ferrari. Sauber took a leap with 2 good drivers, and a ex-Mclaren designer. Willis...i think he'd have a tough job on hand...but BAR has quite some hidden potentials that makes it a big unknown (a state of art factory, 2 good drivers, a honda engine). I'm waiting to see...

facco · 5 Nov 2001, 21:14 (Ref:170412)

Just read from williams.rivals.net that Willis replacement has been found from within the team

Jason Somerville and Nick Alcock

Nicholas · 7 Nov 2001, 18:25 (Ref:171540)

Quote:

Originally posted by BBKing
Jordan and BAR could have not been more evenly matched this season. Panis was DQed from a 2 point scoring position and his apeal failed. That is how much goo Jordan was compared to BAR...LOL

Is not only Willis. They got this guy from Ferrari. If Honda have to decide between one of these teams certainly BAR will have a better cahnce. That is if they are in F1 to win.

For the record

it wasn't two points, it was three, enough to put BAR into 4th in the constructors

but really, considering resources (bar the Honda) it should have been a more considerable margin

And who is this Ferrari guy that no-one else seems to have picked up on?

facco · 7 Nov 2001, 19:18 (Ref:171581)

Quote:

Originally posted by nicholaswhite
And who is this Ferrari guy that no-one else seems to have picked up on?

Mark Bowen (??????)http://www.autorace.com/news/oct2001/29oct2001.htm#a3

Nicholas · 8 Nov 2001, 14:08 (Ref:171889)

What did he do at Ferrari?

facco · 8 Nov 2001, 14:26 (Ref:171895)

Quote:

Originally posted by nicholaswhite
What did he do at Ferrari?

Chassis design, AFAIK

**Bononi** · 8 Nov 2001, 14:27 (Ref:171896)

The eletronics wizard ????

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