Heidfeld to partner Webber?

jj2728 · 29 Dec 2004, 22:23 (Ref:1189562)

am i dreaming or did i miss something? last night i happened to catch a blurb on italian tv, it was some footage of webber in his civvies walking around his williams and the last thing i caught was the announcer saying that heidfeld would be his teammate in 2005....do the italians know something i don't?....rumor, wishful thinking?....anyone?.....

**Adam43** · 29 Dec 2004, 22:30 (Ref:1189567)

For the record there were two threadds on this, but they have gone quiet:
Williams to hold definative shoot out for 2nd seat.(merged) &
argh! Honda to block Davidsons Williams test?

Nothing is official yet, we are all waiting for Williams' press conference on January 6th. Although I get the impression that most (here and elsewhere) feel it will be Heidfeld. He has signed a contract (for about £2million I read), but it hasn't been confirmed if it is for a race deal or a test deal.

Down F0rce · 29 Dec 2004, 22:32 (Ref:1189568)

I'm confident it will be Nick. Pizzonia did a good job, but Nick was sticking that Jordan were it didn't really belong. With a Williams, he could do so much more...

Didn't Frank want him for fill in for Ralf last year anyway, but Eddie wanted too much money?

Silk Cut Jaguar · 29 Dec 2004, 23:27 (Ref:1189587)

You're correct Down F0rce, Eddie closed the door on Nick subbing for Ralf this season. I can't remember why but I don't think it was because of money.

Raglanparade · 29 Dec 2004, 23:47 (Ref:1189592)

BMW want the German Heidfeld, and Petrobras are behind Pizzonia..

BMW contribute a hell of a lot more to the Williams team then Petrobras do, so i think BMW's choice of driver, although not binding on Frank's decision, will have a lot to do with the final outcome.

That, and the fact that Nick Heidfeld is an experienced campaigner who matched/outdid Kimi Raikonen in a McLaren in 2001, and has done wonderful things in a Jordan this year.

I think Nick deserves the Williams seat, and the majority of the world seems to think so as well. Nick and Mark will make a fine pairing, and both drivers through their experience will be fighting for victories and poduims (depends on the car). I honestly dont think Pizzonia has that 'edge' that a lot of the drivers on the grid have.

If Pizza doesnt get the F1 Drive, where to for him ?? He has driven for two F1 Teams now, and he cant just keep hoping that one of the teams drivers suffers an injury.. Will he stay in the F1 Shadows and try for a 2006 seat, or will he head to the IRL, CART or other series ?

Valve Bounce · 30 Dec 2004, 01:09 (Ref:1189627)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonhill9884

That, and the fact that Nick Heidfeld is an experienced campaigner who matched/outdid Kimi Raikonen in a McLaren in 2001, .........................................................

Well, this sure is news to me :confused:

Kicking-back · 30 Dec 2004, 01:18 (Ref:1189631)

Simple typo - he means Sauber.

jetsetter · 30 Dec 2004, 02:22 (Ref:1189654)

The decision on Webber's teammate appears to have been put back until January 31st.

Raglanparade · 30 Dec 2004, 05:40 (Ref:1189689)

i meant Sauber... sorry folks.

The reason the decision has been put back to the end of January.

Frank is playing with Petrobras and BMW. They will try and outbid each other to get their driver into the seat. Im pretty sure that should Pizza get the seat, the BMW engines might come at a higher price tag.. But Petrobras would pump in more money.

Frank will let the two companies battle it out, and then make a decision in the last week of January. If Petrobras put more money in then BMW are willing to discount their engines by, then Pizza will get the seat. If BMW discount their engines by more then Petrobras will put in, then Nick will get the seat... Franks a good businessmen when it comes to things like that..

Redlake27 · 30 Dec 2004, 08:26 (Ref:1189707)

I don't think it will come down to money. Williams are not in need of a pay driver.

I think Pizzonia would be better of doing another year of testing and would be well placed for a mid ranking drive when Sauber or Red Bull realise they need someone quick in their cars for 2006.

I like the idea of Nick in the Williams, fast, solid, experienced and hungry. Kind of reminds me of when Williams ended up with Keke Rosberg (not out of choice, but because they had got into a similar driver mix-up over the off season) and he went and delivered a championship title for them.

Kempi · 30 Dec 2004, 08:30 (Ref:1189709)

Quote:

Williams are not in need of a pay driver.

They might not be in need, but who could blame them if they took it? In the tests they were on just about the same speed level. I strongly believe that Nick is the better racer though. Judging from experience of the last couple of years, the Williams won't be the out-and-about frontrunner so taking someone who knows how to race should be a priority, imho.

Valve Bounce · 30 Dec 2004, 11:44 (Ref:1189822)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonhill9884

i meant Sauber... sorry folks.

Well, I don't wonder why McLaren picked Kimi over Nick, especially when Kimi did so well at McLaren. Maybe Nick didn't outdo Kimi as much as all that at Sauber.

N I Tram · 30 Dec 2004, 11:45 (Ref:1189824)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlake27

I like the idea of Nick in the Williams, fast, solid, experienced and hungry. Kind of reminds me of when Williams ended up with Keke Rosberg (not out of choice, but because they had got into a similar driver mix-up over the off season) and he went and delivered a championship title for them.

The way Frank wanted things at the time Keke was to be number 2 to Reutemann, but he ended up quitting after 2 races so Keke lead the team and made great use of his chance to win the title. Williams have often propelled under-rated drivers to great success, Hill and Mansell are other great examples, and I'm sure Nick could be another. Pizzonia is good but clearly not great.

f1manoz · 30 Dec 2004, 14:18 (Ref:1189914)

My fingers are still crossed after all this time...

Kicking-back · 30 Dec 2004, 15:08 (Ref:1189934)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonhill9884

i meant Sauber... sorry folks.

Im pretty sure that should Pizza get the seat, the BMW engines might come at a higher price tag.. But Petrobras would pump in more money.

Fundamentally wrong.

Williams do not pay for their engines, so your whole argument is based on a false premise.

Logrence · 30 Dec 2004, 17:40 (Ref:1190002)

Williams (the team) rate Pizzonia, but I gather the fact that Tony was given his P45 and replaced with Justin Wilson when he drove for Jaguar is worrying them somewhat. If Heidfeld is given a test role he'll never get a drive with the team because they're expecting Jense in 2006...easier to put Pizzonia on the backburner and get him testing...

With BMW having second thoughts, I think it's Frank's priority to keep the Krauts sweet and go with the german.

flor · 30 Dec 2004, 18:15 (Ref:1190012)

last week Nick said he has the seat

Don K · 30 Dec 2004, 18:46 (Ref:1190028)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valve Bounce

Well, I don't wonder why McLaren picked Kimi over Nick, especially when Kimi did so well at McLaren. Maybe Nick didn't outdo Kimi as much as all that at Sauber.

If I remember correctly, McLaren feared that Ferrari would contract Kimi. And they knew that Ferrari could not sign Nick at the time, because Heidfeld was already under some contract with McLaren.

**Adam43** · 30 Dec 2004, 19:02 (Ref:1190033)

That was always an interesting theory. McLaren must have thought very highly of Kimi if they were worried that Ferrari would get them! In fact they thought so highly of him they put him in their race car!

Logrence · 30 Dec 2004, 21:29 (Ref:1190131)

Jean Todt has said for years that he would consider Kimi as a replacement for Michael, but I don't know if he's just winding Ron Dennis up.

Shame for Nick, though, that he's always been the contractual bridesmaid. Same sort of situation as chaps like Anthony Davidson or poor Alex Wurz.

Valve Bounce · 30 Dec 2004, 22:57 (Ref:1190206)

The way I see it, Nick will be Mark's team mate in 2005 and 2006, Bunsen will stay at BAR with Sato in 2006, and the Ant will be scratching for a ride in any team that will take him in 2006.

Bloody sad, but that's life.

Mark Webber · 2 Jan 2005, 00:31 (Ref:1191344)

I agree VB . I dont see Button at williams in 06
and Mark and Nick should be the pairing in 05

bosch! · 2 Jan 2005, 19:26 (Ref:1191785)

Heidfeld is clearly quicker, by all accounts his technical feedback is very good also, this is an area that williams admitted they were lacking when RS was out last year and AP was subbing. Also he would have the respect of Webber that AP clearly doesnt have. It wouldbe ironic if heidfeld didnt get a job he deserved because he was German when RS got the same job because he was.

Gabrio · 4 Jan 2005, 17:03 (Ref:1193000)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logrence

Jean Todt has said for years that he would consider Kimi as a replacement for Michael, but I don't know if he's just winding Ron Dennis up.

Nope, he wasn't

. Kimi will head there in 2006 but not necessarily to replace Michael....
Am I kidding or not ?

Kicking-back · 4 Jan 2005, 17:05 (Ref:1193006)

Kimi will be at McLaren for many years to come.

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