Webber to Williams, where has this come from?

**Adam43** · 17 Nov 2003, 14:37 (Ref:785991)

It has been mentioned that Webber looks like a certainty for Williams when Montoya leaves. Where did this come from? Has there been any decent leaks or whatever.

I remember a rumour about Williams enquiring about Alonso from Flav., but not Webber.

Is it all just based on the conception that Frank and Patrick are looking for the next Alan Jones? I'm not sure Webber is like him anyway (apart from nationality).

**Adam43** · 17 Nov 2003, 14:43 (Ref:785998)

I bothered to look myself and I have found this denial.
http://www.planet-f1.com/Home/story_13236.shtml

(anyway, perhaps it is nive to keep the Webber aspect in another thread

)

johnw · 17 Nov 2003, 15:00 (Ref:786011)

Bring back Jenson

climb · 17 Nov 2003, 15:19 (Ref:786034)

I think it's a desire which turned into a rumour, actually many fans hope such a thing to happen, and it's normal that, going from mouth to mouth, such a transformation may take place ...

ralf fan · 17 Nov 2003, 15:24 (Ref:786042)

i think it started with this whole JPM to MAC thing! the press needs to give someone who could replace JPM and WEBBER is perfect. hes fast and can also fit in this 3-way swap that the reporter is talking about.

Mr V · 17 Nov 2003, 15:41 (Ref:786062)

Have to say, i don't recall reading about it in any of the press, possibly someone mentioned it on here? and it just escalated

jonathanc · 17 Nov 2003, 15:44 (Ref:786067)

I believe autosport covered it in an article a couple of months ago. Cannot find any links as it was a while ago.

PaulSands · 17 Nov 2003, 15:50 (Ref:786074)

I think its all a bit of wistful thinking because of the historical Alan Jones link. Webber and Jones often seem to be linked and its a natural jump to wish Webber in a Williams...could happen of course

**Bononi** · 17 Nov 2003, 16:18 (Ref:786124)

I would love to see Webber at Williams in 2005. But people are rumouring about Nico Rosberg and Nelsinho Piquet...

PaulSands · 17 Nov 2003, 16:20 (Ref:786131)

yeah that'd work Webber and one of those two young guns with Ralph moving onto Toyota

MrBluesman1 · 17 Nov 2003, 16:23 (Ref:786138)

I believe it was mentioned in Autosport mag or web page around about Indy time can't quite remember which it wasd though

mac · 18 Nov 2003, 08:56 (Ref:786838)

I think you'll find it eminated from a big wrap that Frank gave Mark - no doubt springing from the fact that Mark crushed Pizzonia - a driver who Williams rated very highly and had seen work up close.

kdr · 18 Nov 2003, 10:14 (Ref:786887)

adam if you're searching for the truth - rather than conjecture, hot air, wishful thinking or the longings of both the jv fan clubs...you're on the wrong forum!

PaulSands · 18 Nov 2003, 10:18 (Ref:786891)

pitpass is reporting on the Williams seats for 2005:

"There's much speculation regards who will replace Montoya in 2005, whether Ralf stays or not, and our 'little birdy' tells us that this is another done deal which will see a former WilliamsF1 driver return to the flock.
And we don't mean JV"

R · 18 Nov 2003, 10:32 (Ref:786901)

That would probably mean Jenson Button then.

As for the Webber to Williams theory - probably a combination of wishful thinking from the Australian contingent mixed with Webber's obvious speed, which will probably see him end up with a top team sooner or later.

But why Williams? Why not Renault - that would be more obvious, considering Flav. Plus Webber drove for Benetton's junior team in the International F3000 championship.

PaulSands · 18 Nov 2003, 10:38 (Ref:786910)

So Button and Rosberg/Piquet for '05

**Adam43** · 18 Nov 2003, 10:42 (Ref:786913)

Quote:

Originally posted by pitpass via PaulSands
There's much speculation regards who will replace Montoya in 2005...

now all the speculation is about other drivers and not Montoya! This is why it makes sense to announce it now. Half way through next year at, maybe, a critical point in the season Montoya won't be bogged down with inane speculation.

The Zuschauer · 18 Nov 2003, 10:55 (Ref:786920)

There has been no official release that Williams is interested in Webber, BUT, through reliable connections, I know it's on the cards.

Consider this. Webber is calm, calculating, fast, reliable, extremely fit, humble, and focuses only on the job of driving the car. This is what Frank Williams loves in a driver - someone who knows their place, does the job, and gets on with it. Webber is the perfect match for Williams.

The Zuschauer · 18 Nov 2003, 10:58 (Ref:786923)

And why not Renault? Flavio owns both Renault and Webber. By selling Webber to Williams, Flavio makes money, whereas he only saves money by putting him into a Renault.

Plus, Renault aren't a championship contending team at the moment, and Webber has elevated himself to a level where he can be paid the big dollars by a team like Williams.

Glen · 18 Nov 2003, 11:05 (Ref:786932)

If Ferrari make a move for Alonso then Flavio will have Webber waiting to switch to Renault. If Alonso stays put then I think webber to Williams is much more likely. This might depend on how Massa gets on this year - if he fulfills his potential he may well get the nod to go to Ferrari.

Jenson and Rubens are very high-quality second options for Williams.

**Adam43** · 18 Nov 2003, 11:19 (Ref:786944)

Williams traditionally aren't a big dollar team (Ralf aside

). At the moment Williams would have to get him out of Jaguar AND keep Flav happy by totally buying him out or leasing him from Flav.

And that reasoning also points to Alonso too, Flav. only 'saves' if he keeps him. Also if Williams are thinking this way then why not Alonso. They have expressed interest in him too.

At this moment all the reasoning behind Webber and Williams appears to be because he fits. And this may well be the case and it could happen, but perhaps we are just getting carried away.

For instance, Alonso is blummin' quick. And that is also the sort of driver Frank likes.

Webber is a potential future Williams driver for sure, but he is far from a certainty at this moment in time.

Glen · 18 Nov 2003, 11:30 (Ref:786956)

One of the stories reports that Webber is BMW's choice.

**Adam43** · 18 Nov 2003, 11:37 (Ref:786961)

That is interesting. Has Theissen thrown something into the pot?

I don't see any obvious reason why BMW want him. He did used to drive for another German marque, but not BMW.

What abour Ralf, we are assuming (I think correctly) that we are talking only about one seat in Williams for 2005.

When is Ralf's contract up? 2005 IIRC. However Williams like stability so maybe this has strengthened Ralf's position even further.

Liz · 18 Nov 2003, 12:37 (Ref:787011)

There is another possibility, a young German driver who is so brilliant that he could make F1 tomorrow except that Porsche has him in their books at present.

By 2005 that may change though. Think outside the Same Old Names.

**Adam43** · 18 Nov 2003, 13:38 (Ref:787110)

Quote:

Originally posted by Liz
Think outside the Same Old Names.

As a general rule people in F1 don't

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