[Team] Williams: Do they have a spare tub?

[greentrumpet]

I'd really like to see him pitch his talent against Norris or Russell, he can afford to buy the drive.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by greentrumpet

I'd really like to see him pitch his talent against Norris or Russell, he can afford to buy the drive.

It would be good for both the fans and the teams. He is a known commodity and it seems he knows car setup and can articulate it. Would be good to see him in either car testing but I think the rules sadly prohibit it and teams would find a way to screw things up

[Alan52]

Alonso has had a melt down every time he has finished up in a car that couldn’t win.Thats why he left F1 last year.That means the only options he would take are Mercedes,Red Bull and Ferrari.No chance of a drive with any of those because of respectively Lewis,Honda and long memories.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

It would be good for both the fans and the teams. He is a known commodity and it seems he knows car setup and can articulate it. Would be good to see him in either car testing but I think the rules sadly prohibit it and teams would find a way to screw things up

As seems to be a Royal pian in the Ar$e

[greentrumpet]

Indeed, I'd love to know why McLaren took him back, perhaps only to prove the first time wasn't a monumental cock-up?

[S griffin]

Because they let bygones be bygones and wanted him to help develop the car into a winner

[greentrumpet]

So. instead of grassing up the team and potentially stiffing Hamilton's first crack at WDC he snipes endlessly at the new engine supplier and persuades them to go to Renault. Proper team player, that. I would really like to see him pay for a seat against Norris or Russell.

[Graz]

Originally Posted by greentrumpet

Indeed, I'd love to know why McLaren took him back, perhaps only to prove the first time wasn't a monumental cock-up?

And at least now they have confirmation it was.

[djinvicta]

Kubica needs to realise he cannot do F1 even in a Williams...and leave. I wonder how much he/someone is paying to keep him there?
I think it was during testing before the season, Sky analysed his steering wheel technique during oversteer/sideways stuff etc and his reaction with his hands was not quick enough. Very sad, but true..

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by djinvicta

Kubica needs to realise he cannot do F1 even in a Williams...and leave. I wonder how much he/someone is paying to keep him there?
I think it was during testing before the season, Sky analysed his steering wheel technique during oversteer/sideways stuff etc and his reaction with his hands was not quick enough. Very sad, but true..

Not wanting to be cruel but Kubica needs to realise he cannot do F1 and Williams need to give the seat up to someone else. It was a brave attempt, on Kubica's part but realistically, did it ever have a chance to succeed?

[GTRMagic]

Maybe the winner of the W series could be a starter here...

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Maybe the winner of the W series could be a starter here...

And why not.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Not wanting to be cruel but Kubica needs to realise he cannot do F1 and Williams need to give the seat up to someone else. It was a brave attempt, on Kubica's part but realistically, did it ever have a chance to succeed?

He probably does. But his Orlen sponsorship is paying quite a lot and don’t forget he is getting a substantial salary. Unlikely to give that up as could his last ever big pay packet.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

And why not.

No superlicence points and miles off the pace?

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by peebee2

No superlicence points and miles off the pace?

Perfect for the team in question

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by peebee2

No superlicence points and miles off the pace?

Is this a fact or speculation? I understood that the W Formula was sanctioned in order to provide the necessary qualifications for the Superlicence. That said Jamie Chadwick is no slouch.

However, I'm not a fan of the series personally since, as in Chadwick's case, females can compete equally with males as far as I'm concerned.

[P38 in workshop]

My understanding is that the winner of the W series gets some superlicence points, but needs more to qualify for the superlicence. Not sure if it would permit them to take part in a test session,or whether with testing so limited,they would be permitted to do so. A few laps during a filming day doesn't actually achieve much and I expect by now the team at the Williams simulator have a good deal of data to work with.

[S griffin]

I wonder if Latifi will be put in the car before too long. Maybe their only option to replace Kubica

[peebee2]

The 2020 may qualify for a small number of points if the FIA is satisfied as to the quality of the field. No points this season.

I have to say, against expectation, I’ve really enjoyed the series and coverage this year.

I really look forward to unearthing some undiscovered driving gem in the future but it’s not likely to be from this years ‘frontrunners.’

[Peter Mallett]

Ok, thanks for clarifying.

[billy bleach]

So, on to Monza. Two quicker cars break down in Q1 and STILL no Q2. Monza - a low downforce track so maybe a lack of downforce not such an issue but still dog slow. Poor aero generally? - no downforce loads of drag - or / plus poor chassis?. It’s a LONG way back.....

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

a low downforce track so maybe a lack of downforce not such an issue but still dog slow. Poor aero generally?

To save money, Williams did not bother to design, build or bring a low downforce rear wing for Spa and Monza... that explains their unimpressive straight line speeds.

Note the deep wing on the Williams compared to rival cars...

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by V8 Fireworks

To save money, Williams did not bother to design, build or bring a low downforce rear wing for Spa and Monza... that explains their unimpressive straight line speeds.

I am not sure what to think of that. It raises more questions. I know they are underfunded, but in the end, I would think that normally they would have had a low downforce setup like everyone else. I can't remember, but did they have a special Monaco setup (I assume teams have a unique Monaco setup beyond the changes required for the tight turns).

Are they...

* So underfunded that they can't do proper development for all expected scenarios?
* Focusing attention elsewhere (i.e. have fully abandoned development of the 2019 car)?
* All of the above?

I guess my prior thought is that while underfunded, their bigger issue was internal/management issues (which resulted in the poorly designed and late car). But now I wonder if more is going on that if they can't even attempt to bring the right aero spec to races. Are they bringing ANY development bits for the 2019 car to races at this point? I seem to remember that before the summer break they brought updates to the car.

Richard

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

I seem to remember that before the summer break they brought updates to the car.

In Germany, Williams brought new bargeboards, new rear wing endplates, and a new floor. Steady does it, I say... The update was said to be worth 0.3-0.4 seconds per lap -- a wonderful gain to steadily close the gap to P18!

The package also included a revised upper pivot for the upper front wishbone, to change the front end geometry. However only Russell has chosen to run this, and Kubica went back to the old front suspension.









Still no sign of an improved front wing... Be it a Red Bull style or a Ferrari style.

The packaging of the actual mechanical bits seems to be very nicely done on the other hand, the contoured radiator is particularly spiffy:

[Richard C]

Was digging elsewhere and similar comments. Also... apparently Kubica now has a custom steering wheel with most buttons moved to the left side. I also didn't know that he uses only his left hand to up/down shift. I always supposed his damage hand was mostly a strength issue, but apparently it lacks dexterity as well.

Regardless, it looks like Williams has VERY limited ability to bring upgrades to races and are not focusing on limited use (select circuit) aero components at all. It all comes across like they are hanging on by their fingernails?

Richard