Williams to hold definative shoot out for 2nd seat.(merged)

[cos]

It's not a shoot-out

[BootsOntheSide]

Someone on BBC Ceefax's letters page has just said that they should sign Jeff Gordon for the ride, not a 'journeyman' (his word) like Heidfeld or Pizzonia. What do you make of that?

I'd say Nick should get the deal unless he's significantly slower than Pizzonia (who's had a year in the car already). He seems to have more potential than Antonio,

[Kirk]

It is now being reported by Williams that there will be no "official" shootout.... but ... Judging by todays times, Nick has comfortably adapted to the Williams car as he is outpacing Pizzo. Presumably, the 2 cars are essentially the same.

[dcp2685]

Originally Posted by Kirk

It is now being reported by Williams that there will be no "official" shootout.... but ... Judging by todays times, Nick has comfortably adapted to the Williams car as he is outpacing Pizzo. Presumably, the 2 cars are essentially the same.

Where did you see the testing times?

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

Today's test times...

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=23102

Zonta and Pizzonia had busy days by the looks of it.

[Super Tourer]

Full times.

http://www.f1racing.net/en/testresults.php?testID=175

Pos. Driver Team Time Laps
1 K. Räikkönen McLaren 01:16:307 70
2 N. Heidfeld Williams 01:16:786 64
3 R. Barrichello Ferrari 01:16:800 73
4 L. Badoer Ferrari 01:16:932 70
5 R. Schumacher Toyota 01:16:937 123
6 A. Pizzonia Williams 01:17:097 145
7 C. Klien Red Bull 01:17:117 100
8 R. Zonta Toyota 01:17:154 141
9 A. Wurz McLaren 01:17:308 76
10 F. Montagny Renault 01:17:650 95
11 G. Fisichella Renault 01:17:994 63
12 A. Davidson BAR 01:18:243 96
13 T. Sato BAR 01:18:400 83

[EERO]

I understand that Pizzonia was faster all day until Nick was given a fresh set of tires as the light died. I'd say its still close and the decision will be weighed as much on performance as on the influence of Sponsors, (PetroBras and BMW) and on the quality of feedback from each of the drivers. I'd say that Heidfeld has stepped up and performed well and has shown that he deserves consideration. Now its up to Williams.

[Super Tourer]

BMW maintain that it's up to FW, BUT they pay one helluva lot of the bills at Williams and the piper usually ends up calling the tune in some shape or form.

Petrobras are very unlikely to even make a dent in what BMW invest in Williams.

However, all parties insist that driver choice will not be influenced by commerical or sponsor considerations.

So, Nick it is then.......

[Super Tourer]

Originally Posted by EERO

I understand that Pizzonia was faster all day until Nick was given a fresh set of tires as the light died. I'd say its still close and the decision will be weighed as much on performance as on the influence of Sponsors, (PetroBras and BMW) and on the quality of feedback from each of the drivers. I'd say that Heidfeld has stepped up and performed well and has shown that he deserves consideration. Now its up to Williams.

Williams are thinking it's inconclusive again as Pizzonia was doing long runs and wanted to leave early to be at the birth of his child, he did over double laps of Heidfeld. Meanwhile Nick Heidfeld lost half the day with an hydraulic problem.

In the end though, Williams are not under pressure, neither driver has much in the way of options, so they can simply put them under an umbrella contract and then choose the roles later on, even after some New Year testing.

[Kicking-back]

I believe that both Heidfeld and Pizzonia are contracted for Williams for 2005 - it's just a case of deciding who fills which role.

[EERO]

We can be assured that if Pizzonia gets the nod for the second race seat and then doesn't perform, Nick will be in the race seat. I say by Imola.

[Snrub]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Someone on BBC Ceefax's letters page has just said that they should sign Jeff Gordon for the ride, not a 'journeyman' (his word) like Heidfeld or Pizzonia. What do you make of that?

It's funny how often that type of comment comes up. I don't know that people realize that for Gordon in some ways F1 would be a step down from Nascar. (I'm no Nascar, fan, I'm not saying it's a bigger/better series than F1) Not to mention that he's essentially too old and would have one heck of a learning curve.

[f1manoz]

Nick has done a sterling job in his testing role at Williams so far and has proved himself capable of handling the car. Give him the seat now Frank!!!

[Raglanparade]

May the best Heidfeld win the seat....

[Scott75]

Please let it be Heidfeld, AP isn't up to the mark. No pun inteneded!! NH & MW for me.

[Mark Webber]

with the last couple of days testing at jerez you would have to put money on Nick .

IMHO Mark and Nick would be ideal for Williams also I think Nick as the right to a top level drive unlike AP

[senna12]

I am a bit surprised at the level of support for Heidfeld, since during the course of a season, he is one of the drivers least likely to generate a thread about himself on this forum, particularly when it's performance related.

Considering Antonio's efforts for the team testing and filling in, he has earned the opportunity to at least open the season as MW's partner. Perhaps we could get a more definitive answer to the Jag experience this way.

[oziengineer]

Okay, I'll admit it. Nick Heidfeld has done pretty well since he tested a williams. Good work. It also seems that the williams package works very well in wet conditions. Webbo was fastest in the first wet day at barcelona and now Nick is quick at Jerez, so good work.

[mac]

You can come up with all the excuses in the world, but Heidfeld has jumped straight into the car and been quick from the outset.

I even think he has the potential to be quicker than Webber into the season. I just don't think Pizzonia is capable of the kind of consistent speed that Heidfeld is.

[RWC]

Originally Posted by senna12

I am a bit surprised at the level of support for Heidfeld,

He's one of those drivers (like Fisi) who allmost everyone feels has been abit hard done by.Most are happy to see him get a chance in a top car

Even those like myself who feels that Kimi definitely DID beat him at sauber,don't want him wasting his time at the rear of the grid

[Bellof]

heidfeld did some nice battles with montoya in f 3000, and he kept kimi behind him at sauber (even when it was close). the only way to see what he really can do, is to give him a competitive enviroment. mark webber and williams would be just that.
as for pizzonia, he had his chances.
for davidson I feel somewhat sorry, but I'm convinced he will make his way. he's young enough, and will have more opportunities.

[Vicki]

So, does anybody know what is going on? I'm confused enough as it is! I do hope Nick gets the seat, it is true he needs the chance of a top drive to prove himself.

[flor]

Nick was fastest in the wet on saturday, not many cars testing though

[BootsOntheSide]

It'd be great for Fisichella and Heidfeld to get their chances in a top team in teh same year. While I think Giancarlo is more likely to succeed than Nick, I can see both doing really well.

[neilap]

The big advantage with Nick is he has years of consistent racing under his belt. AP does not. For me its a easy choice. I feel the Kimmi choice for Mac was as much political as it was for share speed. If any of the available drivers is going to push Webber I think he will.

Oh yeah, being German wont hurt his chances either.

I would think that it would be relatively easy to see who the better drivers are from the cars readings of the drivers input compared to the drivers speed. Obviously, I am wrong...