JV'S WILLIAMS HOPES FADING?

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From ITV-F1.com:

JV'S WILLIAMS HOPES FADING?

Last Updated: Thursday, 24, June, 2004, 04:19

The chances of Jacques Villeneuve driving for Williams in 2005 are fading, according to the latest paddock rumours.

The news has yet to be confirmed but we hear that Craig Pollock, Villeneuve's manager, is pushing to get a drive elsewhere.

The favourite for the Williams drive next year remains Mark Webber but Jarno Trulli,

Giancarlo Fisichella and David Coulthard are also thought to be on the list.

Trulli has popped up on the scene in recent days following stories that there are difficulties in negotiations between Jarno and Renault.

It had been thought that Jarno's re-signing would be a formality but since his victory in Monaco it seems that the Italian has upped his demands and these are rather more than Renault is willing to offer.

It is not clear whether these reports are true or whether this is another attempt to open up a Renault drive for Webber so that Williams will have to pay to get Webber's release.

Trulli might end up at Williams but if that happens Briatore may need to find another driver because Mark Webber is believed to be keen on going to Williams rather than moving to Renault, even if the French team is currently doing rather better.

It is also a vague possibility that Briatore might send over both Webber and Trulli and keep open up a Renault drive for Jacques Villeneuve.

Trulli might have some chance of a drive at Toyota but with Ralf Schumacher already signed up it is thought more likely that the team will go for Olivier Panis again to ensure continuity and then go for Fernando Alonso when he becomes available in 2006 or 2007.

The team wants an experienced race driver and so will not be going for Ryan Briscoe and we hear that Ricardo Zonta is so highly thought of as a test driver that he will remain in that role.

Meanwhile, the possibility of Villeneuve deputising for Ralf at the French GP now looks increasingly unlikely.

It has been strongly suggested that Williams will turn to regular reserve driver Marc Gene should Ralf miss the race while convalescing following his Indy shunt.

[C.A.L. 0]

Williams might be best waiting to see how Ralf is after a week of resting...although that resting period may well be very much longer than Ralf wants people to think.

Strained back muscles do not heal in a week ,nor the bruises. One can take muscle relaxants to soothe the muscles and pain killers to get rid of the pain but that Concussion is a totally different issue.

In light of all this putting in the best present driver for France may be Gene,although should J.V. not be included in the present driver list (for now) I am sure Williams will test Pizzonia also in a serious way,but they know they could stick anyone in there to race around in 6th-7th without asking them to push it anywhere.

The next race after France is the British GP and that one is more serious should the results of their replacement in this French GP disappoint with a finish of 8th..that replacement driver needs to be ahead of the Saubers and McLarens or the Home race for Williams could have Sam M. looking a bit unsettled in a repeat result.

That means within 3 gps Williams could be closer to Sauber in points than BAR and should Ralf come back I do not expect him to finish on the podium anytime soon as he has not this year anyways. Williams can risk putting in anyone decent to collect the points,but to achieve a podium is needing a better than Test driver quality.

Williams know the score.

[webber 0]

for Williams toi race JV thay whould have to test him in the car so he can get a feal of it and well sing a contract with him and as far as i kow JV has not tested this week and well there has been no singing of contracts. so its AP or Gene and i think Gene will be the better one out of the two.

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My criticism of the BMW Williams racing outfit is well known and I

[nojvnof1 0]

What Alistair said!! However, I 'm pretty apprehensive about this whole thing, as there are a lot of things that could go wrong. Remember, JV hasn't driven a car since September and hasn't seen, let alone driven the new Williams. He'd have to learn the characteristics of the car and how it reacts to set up changes, and given the new one engine rule and the limited running during the weekend it produces, JV would have virtually little time to adjust to the car. Should things go wrong, im sure it would end his chances at a drive for any team next year and put a permanent end to his career. Don't get me wrong, it would be great too see JV back for France, but there are too many things which could go wrong, hence my very cautious approach.

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Alright, who voted for Gene?

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Now it has come to light that Ralf's condition is more serious in open acceptance that the time off will be in the 'Months' time range instead of weeks, which is more of exactly what I assessed.

Now I think though the healing process of any and all injuries may even delay the return date (should there even be one) for Ralf.

Only because the recovery time may be still longer than the 3 months with lingering effects propping up in form of very still back from time to time putting into notion the idea of resting a full 6 months to really access the extent of how things really are for Ralf.

I wonder what Toyota are thinking now , even the other teams... should Toyota think of canning the present drivers . Silly season will become Silly Year.

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I voted Gene. Basically 2 reasons.

1) Gene, he has been a solid test driver for them for a few years now, and i think he deserves to have first dibs on any seat that is vacant mid season.

2) JV will probly race next year, so let gene have a go.

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I voted JV, but I would vote for both if I could...2 reasons for each driver:

JV.

1. experienced, knows how to work a car to its limits

2. knows most of the williams team, can work easily with them

Gene

1. Done loads of testing with the car, knows it inside and out

2. Did good job last year at Monza, this gives him seat time

[webber 0]

i voted Gene because its only him or AP and we all know how badf AP can Race. JV was not an option in my eyes

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I think Gene will be a slight disappointment but I suppose they don

[Taku 0]

i voted gene because anything to do with jv at the moment is purly wishful thinking. way too much speculation attached to him for it to be a serious option..

[nichosnz 0]

I voted for Gene, but only because at the time it looked like Ralf was out for one race, two at the most. If I was to vote following the revelation the injury is worse than first thought, I would have gone with JV no hesitation.

[lower case writer 0]

putting marc gene behind the wheel of the car as ralf's replacement has shown me [personally] that williams is simply seeking to finish the season as respectable as possible.

gene never was a world beater, and strikes fear into the heart of nobody. the team's chance as a contender for the wcc was over a while ago, so i figure they are just going to aim for respectibility and adjust to the growing pains they'll have to go through as they adjust parts of the internal structure of this team.

[Taku 0]

putting marc gene behind the wheel of the car as ralf's replacement has shown me [personally]that williams is simply seeking to finish the season as respectable as possible.  

gene never was a world beater, and strikes fear into the heart of nobody.  the team's chance as a contender for the wcc was over a while ago, so i figure they are just going to aim for respectibility and adjust to the growing pains they'll have to go through as they adjust parts of the internal structure of this team.

well now with ralf out for 12 weeks, is gene the right choice?

12 weeks should mean ralf can possibly return before the end of the season, or won't he?

if not, then they'd be stupid not to put a serious available (as in not contracted to anone else) contender for next year's drive in. eg pizzonia, jv or gene. but to choose gene out of these 3, possibly for the rest of the season?? ....

[kiko01 0]

I think Gene will be a slight disappointment but I suppose they don

[nojvnof1 0]

As I posted earlier in this thread I had a cautious approach to JV replacing Ralf, due to the fact it was only 1 or 2 races. Now that we've heard it could be 3 months, I'm all for JV getting in that car. Let's deal with facts, JV is in his prime racing, not testing. There would be no ideal test for both Williams and JV then over a period of 3 months with racing, and the normal testing in between. JV could prove himself for a drive next year, whilst at the same time, helping develop this years car, and next years car as well when the time comes. I can't see Williams letting Ralf back in for 2 races, due to the fact he's most likely off to Toyota and they don't want him taking secrets with him. Sir Frank himself said JV's knowledge of both the now brilliant (mostly) Honda engine and BStone tyres is a major positive in JV's favour, well get him in now, he'll have a major input in next year's charger and help with some short term fixes for this year if needed. I don't think Webber will drive this year, he'll be there next year on a multiyear contract. Gene is the obvious choice for France, and most probably Silverstone as they're back to back races, and Pizzonia being snubbed means he most surely out of the equation for next year.

[webber 0]

yea im starting to think that JV whould be a good replacement for R$ but it will take a few weeks to get it all together and by ther there will only be 5 or 6 racers left.

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That

[nojvnof1 0]

you're right there Alistair. If the Williams improves, and JV is in the car, China could be a breakthrough GP for him, seeing as it's a new track, and FW once stated JV in his rookie season got to grips with new circuits fairly quickly. Yes it was a while ago, but you don't lose talent overnight. Hopefully some sense occurs and JV gets the drive.

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Apparently Marc Gene will be given the second Williams seat for both the French and British GPs