Williams F1

The value of Sir Frank Williams’ stake in Williams Grand Prix fell by €7 million yesterday as shares in the Formula One team began trading for the first time. Williams is the first F1 team to go the market, with about a quarter of the company being floated on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, according to the Times.

 

While I'm no investment banker, I can say Williams has put their best foot forward with that gearbox they are employing on their new racer. The rest of the car is not particularly striking, but their back end is definitely the innovation of the field IMO.

 

FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Williams sponsor denies Sirotkin link


A new Williams sponsor says the deal with the British team is not connected with the arrival of Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin.

Earlier, Russian software company Acronis backed Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso, but that money is now moving over to Williams.

But Acronis boss Serguei Beloussov insisted: "We started negotiating with Williams much earlier.

"Sergey was part of Renault and he could have stayed there or gone to Toro Rosso," he told the Russian source Championat.

"Our agreements do not depend on Sergey's contract. Of course, the fact that he is at Williams is a plus and meant we preferred Williams," Beloussov added.

Sirotkin is heavily backed by the Russian bank-run SMP Racing programme.

 

Mercedes needs to buy this team

 

Do you suspect that this is why they listed in Frankfort rather than London or New York?

 

FEBRUARY 19, 2018

Williams has no doubts about Sirotkin


Williams has no doubts Sergey Sirotkin is the right driver for the team.

Some believe the British outfit chose the Russian over Robert Kubica or another option for 2018 because of the millions in backing he brings.

But boss Claire Williams insisted: "We have been giving young talent a chance for a few years now and have always done well with it.

"I can assure you that if we had the slightest doubt, we would not have taken him," she is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

Williams said a good example is Sirotkin's teammate, Lance Stroll.

"Lance was not given any credit and then he got 40 points and was the only driver outside the top three teams to make it to the podium," she said.

So Claire Williams said the team got lucky in finding the opportunity to sign Sirotkin.

"He is one of the talents who have been developing very well but quietly," she said.

So she said the 'pay driver' label is "unfair".

"What is a pay driver anyway?" Williams asked. "A driver who brings a sponsor? Then Fernando Alonso is one too."

Williams technical boss Paddy Lowe agrees: "We spent a lot of time analysing the drivers, and the data decided.

"And believe me, the people who analysed the data did not know who's bringing in what amount of money."

The 2018 Williams is the first car design Lowe has had full control of, but he insisted it is really the "product of a great design team".

"We were two seconds from the top teams last year," Lowe said. "That deficit has to be drastically reduced now."

 

Sirotkin .Torpedo Mk11?

 

Reeks of desperation this.

The analysts not knowing what sort of money would bring? Utter ********. Why didn't they hire Vergne, Felix da Costa, Leclerc (certainly had the chance!), Markelov or Rowland? Why did they take a driver who is quite simply, slower?

Their Stroll excuse is laughable...''only driver outside top 3 teams to score a podium''. Except it wasn't exactly on merit. Verstappens' car died, Hamilton head rest came loose, Vettel road rage, Raikkonen crashed into twice, Bottas was a lap down and beat him on the line...Massa started behind him and was well ahead when his car failed. Nothing special about his drive except inherit places.

There's two types of pay driver....those that bring sponsorship, often due to their talent, and those that bring personal funds because they have a hobby and want to play. There are talented pay drivers, and no one complains about them because they're talented enough for F1. People do complain about those that aren't up to standard and prevent much more talented folk to sit on the sidelines because lack of sponsorship...

 

I'm sure if Williams could chose based upon skill, they would. Williams don't have very much clang in their coffer these days.

 

Time for Williams to get serious about being bought out. Force India appears to have some success possibly.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/force-india-linked-with-200m-takeover/

 

I think PlanetF1 is on to something there, we still are waiting for a Force India unveiling date, and they started talking about changing the name last year, so a new owner/sponsor coming in would explain all of that.

 

Force India to unveil their 2018 car on test day @ Catalunya

 

thanks, hadn't heard anything yet

 

Too little too late. Should've sold to BMW long ago. Whoever buys them will just break apart their assets and sell off their historical cars and make a lot more money than what they paid for the lot.

 

"Finishes" 3rd... then they forget the next race he qualified 17th

 

.@oliverrowland1 gets Williams #F1 role for 2018:

 

ANOTHER ONE? what for?

 

Official Young Driver for the 2018 Formula 1 world championship season conducting test and simulator duties

 

more MOOLA maybe???

 

His normal level of skill......................

 

YOUNG driver for Williams. Yet older than both actual drivers. Lol. Williams logic strikes again.

 

He is part of F1's "Young Driver Programme"

 

Taking a page from the Monisha Kaltenborn playbook?

 

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!! Martini and Williams to end sponsorship deal

 

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/martini-and-williams-to-end-sponsorship-deal-1009390/

Grim future for Williams