Webber to Williams

[rodders47 2]

wow I would like to see that !!!

Mark fokllowing in Jones footsteps.. way to go MARK

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Well, I think honestly that it's quite early for any talk about replacing Montoya. Obviously, Sir Frank is interested in Mark and talks will always happen, but there won't be any decision for a long time. Williams has so many options, ranging all the way from Button to Villeneuve, that he won't be making his choice too quickly. Several young guns will be after that seat as well, but I can tell you that Frank will choose the best driver available.

So, here's to Villeneuve driving that car again in 2005

[Thor 0]

Maybe it will be Coulthard who replaces JPM

[marina 0]

Williams does not know what they want. They had 2 good drivers and because they did not want to pay them more,especially Montoya,they are letting the drivers go. But Williams is well know for this,letting go their champions.

Ralph is going to Toyota in 2005,Montoya is going to Mclaren in 2005 and I hope noone wants to go to Williams for 2005. They do not deserve the drivers respect. If Webber goes to Williams - all the best to him, but he should not go.

[juany 0]

I used to be a huge Williams fan until they screwed Mansell and Hill and I was just starting to warm to them again because of Montoya but now I see they havent changed and Frank will never think that the drivers deserve what they are worth. I am not saying that Ralf is worth 20 million or whatever he is going for (far from it), but it seems Frank isnt willing to negotiate a fair salary for his drivers which is why Monty has walked and Ralf's talks have stalled.

[nichosnz 0]

It is a pattern Williams must be aware of (maybe it is even policy now) two other examples are Piquet not in a Williams in 1988 and Prost in 1994.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I agree though that maybe Frank should think a bit more, but then he has a lot of other skilled drivers waiting in line who would have the seat for much less salary. Marc Gene is officially vying for the vacant '05 seat, and to be honest I think Gen

[nichosnz 0]

I agree he has earned it, and could do quite well based on his performance in Italy last year with next to no notice (or Friday practice or Qualifing). But having said that I will be suprised if he gets a season out of it. I feel the same about Wurz, he also deserves it, but I don't think will get in in McLaren. In my mind their F1 race careers are over, and not for lack of talent either, just like Luca Badoer. They must all be extremely talented, they test for Williams, McLaren and Ferrari remember. These teams would not put up with an 'average' former F1 racer.

[Kepners 0]

Hello, first post.

About Mark. Its NOT going to happen (him moving to williams) for one big reason HIS MANAGER!! F L A V

second reason Bilbo (Billy Boat Button) is contracted to Williams for 5 more years. BAR has only options on him at the end of the year. Meaning, that williams have to say they dont want him and Farm him out again. seriously people

[Thor 0]

Hello, first post.

About Mark. Its NOT going to happen (him moving to williams) for one big reason HIS MANAGER!! F L A V

second reason Bilbo (Billy Boat Button) is contracted to Williams for 5 more years. BAR has only options on him at the end of the year. Meaning, that williams have to say they dont want him and Farm him out again. seriously people

I'm agree with you about MW Flavio will take him at Renault 05

But Jenson doesn't have a contract with Williams,it was said when he did sign his contract with BAR

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Button was released from the Williams contract upon joining BAR. BAR have the option on him for 2005 and if Frank really wants to he will have to hope that David Richards lets Jenson go or then pay for him. Same deal with Webber - he still is at Jag by his contract for 2005, and the Renault have the option on him. And Flavio wants Webbo!

I think the Williams seats will be filled by the unsuspected ones. No one thinks Jacques could find his way there. People suspect Nico Rosberg for still being too young, yet he is almost certain to receive a test driver contract with Williams for 2004.

[Kepners 0]

I know differently.

[juany 0]

I know differently.

Please fill us in with the goss!

[nichosnz 0]

Williams are not acting like a team trying to win the Championships, but then Frank and Patrick have said many time the CWC is what counts, they do not care if the drivers are not quite 'present' in the team enough to take the DWC, as long as they rake in enough team points.

It does not seem so long ago, it looked like Button would never get mentioned in the Williams seat context ever again, as it appeared JPM and RS were committed for the (very) long haul. Oh well how quickly things can change in F1.

[marina 0]

If we read all of Franks stories, we dont understand which driver he wants, he even mentioned a while back that his dream was to have Schummie as his driver - it really is a dream.

If webber should go to Williams - of course he should it is better then Jaguar,but I am not sure if Williams is a good team to go to because Frank does not like to pay their drivers a good salary. He is letting his 2 drivers go without a fight.

[nojvnof1 0]

At the moment I have no clue as to who will get the Williams drive in '05. Having said that, I don't think Webber will drive for them, as Flav has stated indirectly he wants him to drive for Renault in'05 and wouldnt want him driving for a rival top 4 team. As for Button, I'm pretty sure that at the launch of BARf's car in '03, DR stated that the contract that existed between Jense and Williams was bought out and Button is property of DR, besides, I don't think DR would get rid of his 'love child' easily going by the way he just gushes praise about him whenever he spoke about him and sounds like a little schoolgirl with a crush whenever he does so. Rosberg and Piquet will most likely be testers and won't get a drive until after '05 at the earliest, although look at how well Kimi has done, and he was only 20 when he debuted if I'm not wrong, so we'll have to wait and see.

Being a huge JV fan, I hope FW sees sense in hiring Jacques who no doubt feels he has unfinished business in F1 and would love nothing better than to get one over his critics. RS and JPM wasted last years car. JPM should have won the drivers title and Williams should have won the constructors but they blew it when it was theirs for the taking. If that happens again, JV could be called up. My gut feeling is that we haven't seen the last of JV in F1, but it won't be in a Williams unfortunately. My guess for the drive in '05 is Gene. He proved quick in his drive at Monza and knows the team and car, thus allowing Williams an all out attack without having to get used to new drivers.

shaun

[Kepners 0]

Well, that sounds very reasonable assumpton Mr Nojvnof1.

Button still has a contract with williams. DJ bought him out for two years with a clause saying that upon the take up of the option Fronk has a say.

basically, Fronkie knew something like this would happen (that both his drivers contract were due for renewal at the same time). when he released Bilbo (billy boy button) to B.A.R for two years.

As for JV, my guess (and i honestly know nothing on this) is that he's going to end up at jordan if Abramovic buy's them. otherwise he wont ever be back in F1 (which i do know is true). Before you say Toyota etc... they want Schy Jr to replace Panis With my personal fav De Matta

[juany 0]

I am reading today that a Verstappen/Jordan deal is already signed and will be announced next week when the Jordan PR dude gets back from chrissy hols.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Jordan for 2004 is a big question mark, but it looks almost certain that Jos Verstappen will be the first announcement. The second is of course the huge question mark.. Abravomich isn't buying the team, but Jacques could still go there. I really have to say that it will be a matter of time only, no rumour is going to prevail over the other in this one.

[nichosnz 0]

Will they wait until the eve of the Australian GP, as has previously been Minardis habit.

[juany 0]

Both EJ and Jos' manager are denying a deal has been inked yet and no one lies in F1 do they :wink: