Williams 2017

[anonymous-user]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/126958...


Williams have signed Bottas and Stroll for 2017.

Thoughts

[amare32]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/126958...


Williams have signed Bottas and Stroll for 2017.

Thoughts

Great another crash prone youngster on the grid next year.

[hornetrider]

amare32 said:

Great another crash prone billionaire youngster on the grid next year.

ftfy.

[Dermot O'Logical]

Sadly, Williams find themselves in a situation where they had several million reasons to sign Stroll.

He does, however, appear to have some potential, so we can only hope that their faith is not misplaced, and he can do a good job for them.

[rubystone]

The best news to come out of the press conference is the fact that FW is out of hospital and recovered. That's truly fantastic.

[ukaskew]

amare32 said:

Great another crash prone youngster on the grid next year.

Who has won pretty much everything he's entered so far and finished 5th at the Daytona 24hrs. He may be the son of a billionaire and I'm sure that was a significant reason in signing him, but I'm positive Williams also value their constructors position (and the funds that brings in). The guy can clearly drive and has a superlicence at 18.

[HarryFlatters]

rubystone said:

The best news to come out of the press conference is the fact that FW is out of hospital and recovered. That's truly fantastic.

Absolutely.

[rubystone]

ukaskew said:

Who has won pretty much everything he's entered so far and finished 5th at the Daytona 24hrs. He may be the son of a billionaire and I'm sure that was a significant reason in signing him, but I'm positive Williams also value their constructors position (and the funds that brings in). The guy can clearly drive and has a superlicence at 18.

We will see whether he can cut it in a formula where for the first time, his father's billions can't impact the result.

[Redlake27]

About 5 years ago, I was despairing that the once great team had signed Maldonado and Bruno Senna, thinking it was like the dying days of Tyrrell with rentadrivers.

And then they won the Spanish Grand Prix.


So I'll shut up on this one.

[ukaskew]

Williams are doing ok financially, are they not?

[anonymous-user]

I'm not sure it matters who the drivers are unless they can build a better car. They've flattered to deceive on occasion but in reality they don't have a very competitive package.

Hopefully, the changes for next year will make a difference but I wouldn't be too optimistic for Williams.

[Dermot O'Logical]

ukaskew said:

Williams are doing ok financially, are they not?

No, they've struggled for a while. Specifically, since Maldonado and his backing went elsewhere. Williams (and Force India, and probably Manor) were trying to get through 2016 on four "power unit components" to save money.

For a long time, Williams have needed one "pay driver". With Massa's retirement they needed to replace the Brazilian money that he brought to the team, so Stroll is an attractive proposition - young, fast, Championship winner, has money. Perfect.

It's also important for financial reasons that they can beat Force India to fourth in the 2016 Constructors' Championship.

Does anybody know if Rob Smedley is staying with Williams?

[glazbagun]

REALIST123 said:

I'm not sure it matters who the drivers are unless they can build a better car. They've flattered to deceive on occasion but in reality they don't have a very competitive package.

Hopefully, the changes for next year will make a difference but I wouldn't be too optimistic for Williams.

Yeah in 2014 they were a really pleasant surprise but they look to have been standing still (I'm sure they're not) ever since.

[bunglesprout]

He deserves his chance based on his results in other formulae. Remember the FIA introduced the points system for the super licence to stop inexperienced pay drivers from landing a seat. With the amount of testing he has been doing , he will probably be the best prepared rookie to come into F1 since Hamilton, and he's got a solid teammate to be measured against. For Williams' sake I hope he does well, but it will all about the car. I'm quietly optimistic.

[bunglesprout]

He deserves his chance based on his results in other formulae. Remember the FIA introduced the points system for the super licence to stop inexperienced pay drivers from landing a seat. With the amount of testing he has been doing , he will probably be the best prepared rookie to come into F1 since Hamilton, and he's got a solid teammate to be measured against. For Williams' sake I hope he does well, but it will all about the car. I'm quietly optimistic.