Should Williams run Gene in Spain

[esorniloc]

Since Ralf is having such a bad time at the moment, perhaps it would do him some good to sit out the next race and let Gene drive for Williams. It would also be his `home' GP.

Gene did race for Williams last year and did an OK job.

[NiceGuyEddie]

Let Pizzonia have a go. He still is blindingly quick behind the wheel of a Williams, no matter how much a Jag R4 tried to destroy his abillities.

I agree that Ralf needs to pick up his game (let alone raise it) pretty soon now. I suspect Patrick and Frank are getting impatient.

[Raven]

Well Antonio is Williams' reserve driver this year, so if such a situation arises as Monza last year, when Ralf was unable to race, then it will be Antonio who gets the call and not Marc.

[Adam43]

If I was Frank I would run Ralf. I doubt he has even considered it.

Still both Gene and Pizzonia have to be in with a shot for a ride next year. Both will hope Williams will do the same as they did with Hill and DC (sorry a little off topic).

[Raven]

Thats right Adam. Ralf would most likely sue if he were sidelined anyway as there would then be contractual dispute between himself and Williams.

Hopefully we will see Ralf out at the end of the year though.

[GP Racer]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
If I was Frank I would run Ralf. I doubt he has even considered it.

I agree Adam, but if there is one driver that needs to sit out a race or two, it certainly is Ralf IMO.

He has been dreadful, both on and off the track.

[Mr V]

Originally posted by Raven
Thats right Adam. Ralf would most likely sue if he were sidelined anyway as there would then be contractual dispute between himself and Williams.

Not entirely sure that Rafe could sue, unless of course, Sir Frank took away part of his wages because he's not racing, which, of course, won't happen.

[Led ZeppF1]

Well, according to Patrick Head, Ralf Schumacher has been too conservative in qualifying this season.

"I'm sure that Ralf isn't happy about seeing the 4-0 qualifying position between Juan and himself," said Head.

http://www.planet-f1.com/Home/story_15226.shtml

[Super Tourer]

Yep - the 'Ralf Schumacher - look what I can do for your team' advertising campaign is not going too well of late.

Be time for WW to run out another press release shortly. surely......

[climb]

Considering that up to now only two drivers have obtained really satisfying results (MS and JB), we could say the same thing about any one of the rest.
Agree with Adam.

[Redlake27]

Gene wasn't that impressive at Monza. Considering he knew the car and circuit better than the regular drivers, he was a good half minute behind JPM on one of the calendars easiest circuits that typically shows a smaller differential between team mates than say Monaco or Silverstone for example.

Gene is solid, but Frank would have put him in the car at any point in the last three years if he thought he was worthy.

Ralf just really needs to get his head together. We know he can be good, but he isn't even going to be in a Toyota at this rate. And frankly, JPM needs to focus a little more as well.

If I was Frank, I'd try and get Heidfeld (to please his German partners) and Webber for peanuts. I'm sure both would sign three year deals for less than JPM or Ralf cost per season.

[Don K]

Originally posted by Led ZeppF1
"I'm sure that Ralf isn't happy about seeing the 4-0 qualifying position between Juan and himself," said Head.

In the post-qualifying interview, Montoya was quite pleased having beaten Ralf for the first time at Imola.

[Led ZeppF1]

Originally posted by climb
Considering that up to now only two drivers have obtained really satisfying results (MS and JB), we could say the same thing about any one of the rest.
Agree with Adam.

Well, actually Juan Pablo's performance up to know as good as Jenson, if not better. If his car had not gearbox problem he will finish in third place on Bahrain and beat Jenson in driver standing.

And, for other comparison, we know litle about Kimi's performace because his car is a dog and break down three time in row.

[Kicking-back]

Originally posted by Raven
Well Antonio is Williams' reserve driver this year, so if such a situation arises as Monza last year, when Ralf was unable to race, then it will be Antonio who gets the call and not Marc.

Not true.

Gene is number one test driver and reserve driver.

[BootsOntheSide]

The politics of such a move would be complicated and fascinating. I dread to imagine how Ralf and Willi would feel about being nudged aside - it would probably make Ralf very unlikely to remain with the team for 2005.

If Frank has already decided on a double change, it oculd be a good way to drop the hint. I think Gené would do a good job, especially as he'd know that it's his chance to stake a claim for 2005.

[esorniloc]

Originally posted by Redlake27
Gene wasn't that impressive at Monza. Considering he knew the car and circuit better than the regular drivers, he was a good half minute behind JPM on one of the calendars easiest circuits that typically shows a smaller differential between team mates than say Monaco or Silverstone for example.

Well he didn't test on the Friday as Ralf only gave up after qual 1. So its a little hard to say he `wasn't that impressive'.

Since Ralf won the French GP last year, what has he actually done in F1?

[N I Tram]

Originally posted by esorniloc

Since Ralf won the French GP last year, what has he actually done in F1?

Crash several times, spin several times, wimp out of one race with a headache (despite having been out the previous night), make extortionate wage demands, over-estimate his value in the press, and make ill-judged *****y remarks about his team-mate.

Pizzonia or Gené would both make ideal replacements for the rest of the season, and they could prove imrpessive enough to dererve a full season in 2005.

[Adam43]

Originally posted by N I Tram
...wimp out of one race with a headache (despite having been out the previous night...

I really think that is a unfair on him.

Originally posted by esorniloc
Since Ralf won the French GP last year, what has he actually done in F1?

Whatever the reasons, and I think it is a little of evrything, it has been many GP since Ralf has been good (although in that one he was great).

[jetsetter]

I think that unless Ralf wakes up to himself quickly & starts performing then he will find himself on the sidelines sooner rather than later.

[Gt_R]

Well Ralf had shown himself to be no easy meat at F1 this year, maybe he's trying to use the first few races this season to stamp his new authority as a "do or die" racer, to strike "fear" in his rivals who would think twice in the future of fighting with Ralf for position...

[Skam85]

Originally posted by NiceGuyEddie
no matter how much a Jag R4 tried to destroy his abillities.

Ummmm, about this statement, why did Webber score 17pts then??? It sounds like you are blaming the car, not Pizzonia. He had his chance, it didn't come off. So what. End of story. There are much better candidates for a Williams drive, Ralf being one of them!!!

And I'm not a fan of Ralf so thats saying something!!

[BootsOntheSide]

Originally posted by Skam85
Ummmm, about this statement, why did Webber score 17pts then??? It sounds like you are blaming the car, not Pizzonia. He had his chance, it didn't come off. So what. End of story. There are much better candidates for a Williams drive, Ralf being one of them!!!

And I'm not a fan of Ralf so thats saying something!!

First of all, Webber's season was slightly flattered by the new points and qualifying systems. Many of his points came form finishing 7th and 8th.

Sometimes drivers do struggle in a particualr car, but do really well elsewhere. Did you write Button off after 2001? Or Mansell after he was trounced by de Angelis for 4 years at Lotus? Or Rosberg because of his poor 1986 swason at McLaren? There are often deeper reasons for having one bad season - a lack of team support, a lack of testing, sheer bad luck and the like.

[fiona]

i dont think he will be replaced at the moment, but if he continues to carry on the same way then it may cross Sir Franks mind towards the end of the season

[Skam85]

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
First of all, Webber's season was slightly flattered by the new points and qualifying systems. Many of his points came form finishing 7th and 8th.

Sometimes drivers do struggle in a particualr car, but do really well elsewhere. Did you write Button off after 2001? Or Mansell after he was trounced by de Angelis for 4 years at Lotus? Or Rosberg because of his poor 1986 swason at McLaren? There are often deeper reasons for having one bad season - a lack of team support, a lack of testing, sheer bad luck and the like.

In quali he was often in the top 6. The Jaguar R3 would have made Pizzonia look much worse, no doubt, but the R4 was an OK car, better than the Saubers and Toyotas of the grid. Pizzonia didn't make it look better than the Toyotas and Saubers. Neither did Wilson for that matter.

I didn't write off Button in 01, but his performances left me wondering....why was Fisi so far ahead of him??

And I can't say I remember the other 2!!!!!

[Snrub]

I think the critism of Ralf has been too strong. I think there are a couple of factors. 1. Minor performance issues have cost him big. (eg. qualityfing) 2. JPM never quiet seemed to be at the top of his game in previous seasons. The early contract announcement seems to have made a difference in his driving.