Williams contact with Dixon confirmed

[chunterer]

I notice from the news pages of a comic i read recently that Williams have indeed tapped up Scott Dixon and his representatives about testing F1 this year.

Most of you already know i really believe he is an ace waiting to happen (some of you don't understand why!)

I'd imagine that the Williams-Ganassi link has come to the fore once again as Frank in all likelihood has two spare seats for 2005 and wants to bring someone damn quick in from outside F1(see also Gordon test?)rather than an expensive current driver or someone over the hill.

But where will this leave Dixon's Toyota links? has he been told he ain't gonna be driving for them in near future, or, have they decided to sign a certain American IRL rival of his, who also happens to be Toyota powered?!

Whatever the case, some excellent negotiating rumours will come out of all this throughout the season.

Anyway, i hope the test happens soon and i reckon he'll be pretty good to boot!

[Testure]

There was a quote from either Frank Williams or Patrick Head a couple of weeks ago saying that Dixon was one of about 50 drivers on their "lists". He's a young driver with some decent experience, but I just don't think he's shown all that much in either CART or IRL. Better than some currently on the F1 grid, sure. Better than Button, Webber or Fisi? Not a chance in my limited opinion

[jhansen]

I'd say that Jeff Gordan has a better shot at a Williams seat over Dixon. Just can't see it happening.

[wblh]

Ah yes Chunterer I also am an unabashed Dixon fan and am looking forward to the time when a few others finally start to realize what a complete racer this kid is. I believe he certainly has a test lined up with Williams and I would expect him to handle the pressure that goes with that and aquit himself well.

[BootsOntheSide]

I can't see him doing especially well, as his road/street record at the top levle isn't amazing, but you never know. As Frank is clearly casting the net wide to find a new driver, he has to be worth checking out - he's definately among the top 50 drivers who could potentially accept a Williams drive next year.

[marcus]

I dunno if this is gonna happen , but I will for sure go along with everyone and say this guy is the real deal and has everything that is needed to make it in F1.
He is definbately a future World champion in my view no questions asked but whether it happens or not is another question.

[Armco Bender]

Television New Zealand interviewed Patrick Head at Melbourne and put the question to him,obviously he didn't give too much away,but they(Williams) are extremely interested.........stay tuned,my money is on one of the top teams(Williams the most likely at present)having a piece of paper with the necessary signatures on it.

[racefanatic]

Originally posted by chunterer
But where will this leave Dixon's Toyota links? has he been told he ain't gonna be driving for them in near future, or, have they decided to sign a certain American IRL rival of his, who also happens to be Toyota powered?!

I think Scott is a great driver and I'd love to see him in F1, but I definately don't think Sam Hornish would have any success.

[esorniloc]

I just hope its true.

I think Dixon could be the driver Williams are looking for to replace Montoya.

[Kicking-back]

I really can't see him getting a race drive at Williams any time soon.

[Hazza]

Originally posted by Testure
but I just don't think he's shown all that much in either CART or IRL. Better than some currently on the F1 grid, sure. Better than Button, Webber or Fisi? Not a chance in my limited opinion

First, I laughed, then I read closer, yes, He's good, but not that good, of course, i'd like to be wrong.

edit: Waoh, 500 posts Veteran

[jetsetter]

I'm a long time Dixon fan but i don't think his couple of years driving on nothing but Ovals holds him in good stead for F1. I think that Williams will choose a driver that's been circuit racing over Dixon at this point in time.

[mac]

Random teams and random drivers and their managers are always in regular contact with each other - it's best for business that way.

[D.R.T.]

It would be a big call, but he can drive. I'd love one of the seats to go to Webber though, No bias

[Kicking-back]

Williams will have two seats available.

Apart from Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen, every driver in the world is available to them.

I really can't see why, in that situation, they'd bring in Scott Dixon.

And Williams hold the cards - most drivers would be delighted to join the team - therefore big salaries aren't required either.

[GP Racer]

I wish both Dixon and Gordon were ready to go F1 now, so Williams can fire their two ungrateful, primadonna drivers!

These two guys would be a breath of fresh air, to a team in desperate need of some...

[Raven]

It's more likely that Dixon would undergo a year as a team's official test/reserve/3rd driver before being promoted to race driver.

I've seen nothing special from SD though. Personally I rate Junqueira, Bourdais & Castroneves over him as F1 potentials. He drove well in the IRL last year, but it wasn't as closely fought as in 2002 or as it's expected to be this year. With Hornish at Penske, everyone will have to raise their game in terms of consistency.

[105octane]

I believe from a very good source that Dixon is testing with Williams as soon as next week at the Paul Ricard circuit.

[Gt_R]

Nothing surprising that Williams is talking to prospective replacements for their team next year.. they won't be doing their job if they didn't.

I won't read too much of it, because Williams won't blindly sign anybody without a decent F1 record, and those drivers outside F1 considered would have to undergo much test and evaluation before being properly shortlisted.

So til then, take it as a rumour...an interesting rumor

[chunterer]

Originally posted by Gt_R
I won't read too much of it, because Williams won't blindly sign anybody without a decent F1 record, and those drivers outside F1 considered would have to undergo much test and evaluation before being properly shortlisted.

Erm..... Jones, Rosberg nor Mansell (although all already in F1) didn't have a great record when they signed them?

What about JV and Monster too? They were signed with no F1 racing under their belts, purely their credentials at the time and plenty of testing miles.

Williams knows drivers and is never afraid to take a bit of a risk on someone so long as they have shown a bit of fire...

Keep us posted on this Ricard test 105Octane!! I didn't realise it was gonna be this soon. If it happens Scott should get a good couple of days in the car then!!

[oziengineer]

That quite suprised me that scott dixon is on the cards. I would have thought toyota would have fought to get him into one of their cars. Maybe they'll just demand a big cash settlement from williams if he goes.

[Kicking-back]

His contract at Ganassi expires at the end of the year, so no compensation needed.

[Gt_R]

Quote"Jones, Rosberg nor Mansell (although all already in F1) didn't have a great record when they signed them?

What about JV and Monster too? They were signed with no F1 racing under their belts, purely their credentials at the time and plenty of testing miles."

Err chunt..that's pretty much what i'm saying. Williams won't sign anybody without a decent F1 record (not neccesarily race wins, but rather factors like experience/setup) or did plenty of testings to confirm their "ability" in an F1 car. In those respects Dixon is still relatively an "unknown". Mansell is already in F1, Montoya tested for Williams before going to the states, and JV/Button did testings and evaluation before being signed.

Both of which Dixon now lacks, he doesn't have many F1-testing-miles under him, he doesn't have much experience in F1. All he has is his achiements in the states which hints Williams to his "potential" and hence Williams showed an interest. It's really quite normal stuff and Williams probably had a long list of replacements.

Dixon would only be seriously considered for the seat if they gave him a test and he flew in the car, and provide the team with useful "feedback."

[chunterer]

Yeah, get that bit mate.

No driver will be signed without a thorough and probably exhausting testing schedule...and only then after only after a couple of day judegment test as well, this being the Ricard rumour 105 mentioned?

I would imagine that Dixon will get the same sort of run out that JV had in 1995 at Silverstone and to which Pantano/Liuzzi and then Rosberg/Piquet also subsequently had.

[Armco Bender]

Looks like its all go for the Ricard Test then,its on several sites ]http://speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/10249/?from=[HOME] and its the lead story on Radio Sport here this morning.