2005 Williams seat available?

[Knowlesy]

Assuming Montoyas expected transfer to McLaren goes through next year, who do you think/who would you like to see as his replacement?

Wurz? Heidfeld? Nico Rosberg? Barrichello? (strange proposals, I know)

Personally, I believe that young Jenson Button should have a shout for the seat. Frank Williams is a big admirer and said he would gladly take him back.

So I think Button, but what do you think?

[Bononi]

Webber, Webber, Webber !

[esorniloc]

Why can't Montoya keep the seat, this is stupid to say that he is going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Peter Mallett]

I think its already mooted that he wants to change. Yes it would be good for him to stay but I don't think Sir Frank would pay the dosh. Ralf's salary is probably underwritten by BMW and I don't know of a Colombian Sponsor so bring back Jense.

Webber would be good too but would he leave a team that (by that time) is built solely around him?

[ralf fan]

Webber would be good ,what about Wirdheim??

[BootsOntheSide]

I'd rpefer to see Wilson in a top drive than Button, good though jenson is.

Alonso high be the ideal from Frank's perspective, but it depends on how well Renault do in 2004.

Names like Bourdais and Wirdheim can't be overlooked - Frank's gambles on rookie drivers are frequent, and almost always successful

[Bononi]

Yeah, and there's a young driver that already feels at home there...

[CleanTone]

button is obviously not coming back unles wins wdc next year. I believe it' s gonna be a young gun(have no idea which one). Maybe Rosberg, maybe Asmer???, maybe Wirdheim(hmmm, not that plausible though), no Bourdais

[x_dt]

Webber or Fisichella

(though Pantano or Bourdais in a Williams would be great to see )

[esorniloc]

Originally posted by x_dt
Webber or Fisichella

(though Pantano or Bourdais in a Williams would be great to see )

There is no way that Pantano is good enough for F1 let alone a top line drive with Williams. He has spent 3 years in F3000 and hasn't won it, which shows he will struggle in F1.

[Valve Bounce]

Let's be sensible - by the time 2005 comes around, nobody will remember this thread.

[paulzinho]

Nelsinho!!!!

[jetsetter]

Webber.

[vatuloa]

If Jaguar allow Webber to show his true ability he will be a front runner

[Mark Webber]

No ! not Webber not in a Williams (even if I do think Webber & Ralf would the best pairing ), I think Mark will be a front runner in the Jag by then anyway in a new top 5 team format

Button would be good as my pick or Wilson

[Wrex]

Originally posted by Mark Webber
I think Mark will be a front runner in the Jag by then anyway in a new top 5 team format

This my friends, is what an optimist sounds like.


With current form, how the names Button, Wilson, Wurz, Heidfeld, Rosberg, Bourdais, Wirdheim, Pantano or Bourdais would be mentioned before Alonso and Webber I'll never understand. Any top team would have a close eye at stealing these 2.

That said, we have no idea what 2004 holds. The current hero's could fall from grace, and a new 'Alonso/Webber' performance could come from someone else.

And Montoya is going anywhere just yet. I have no doubt he will be looking at which car is the better performer before making such a massive career move.

It's hard enough to see what 2004 holds, let alone 2005.

[GTRMagic]

Jaguar will have been 2 complete management reshuffles by then, will be unrecognisable again.

Webber will likely be pished off by the end of next season with the whole Jaguar thing.

Why pished off? Cosworth will remain a midpack runner power-wise, and blow ups will still be a big risk. The team will select a paydriver teammate and wont be getting any development support from him. Car failures in components continue. Mark is 1-1.5 seconds a lap better than the car is.

[Valve Bounce]

Once any team starts talking about cutting costs, especially with as big a company as FORD calling the shots, then I think the chances of improvement are nil.

[corkholio]

18 posts into this thread and no mention of JVil yet? Can't have that!

[Peter Mallett]

Whoooooooooooooo?

[Armco Bender]

DC back in the Williams for 2005,that could be his year then

[f1manoz]

Who's to say JPM is even leaving Williams?

Personally, I don't see Button getting the call, although you never know I suppose. But I think Dave Richards will try and keep him.

Other than that, Sir FW could go for someone like Webber, who comes across as a very workmanlike driver in his performances. Perhaps FW will see a bit of Alan Jones in him...

[Rossi # 46]

well, if Montoya goes to McLaren my guess is we might have a surprise in the Williams seat.

My picks...James Courtney or Helio Castronevis.

BMW and williams dont beleive in paying their drivers high salaries, which is why i beleive we will see some new blood placed in this seat.

[esorniloc]

What about Bruno Junqueira?

He was a Williams test driver and went to Ganassi as JPM's replacement. Is he still under Williams contract?

[BootsOntheSide]

Jaguar won't become a top team until they become wiling to invest more, and get some stability. if Wilson goes for 2004, it sets a very bad impression to the outside world that they won't stick with anyone for any length of time. For that reasn, Webber mgiht be wise to consider the Williams psot, if he's offered it.