Frank Williams criticises BMW - party over ?

Well, 2000 was BMW's return to F1 and of course they'd have engine problems! I understand BMW's perspective with why Williams was so horrible last year, but this year is looking better. I don't even want to remember last year (except for Brazil).

 

Peter Sauber loves the sound of that.

 

It will be BMW's loss.

Williams has long been established as one of the top builders in F1 history. They have won several championships, with many different motors powering them. In my opinion, if/when BMW ditches Williams to go over to Sauber, they will be taking more than one step backwards.

If Williams gets a deal with Honda, or Renault, they will keep moving forward from where they are now, and will most likely win more championships in their future.

 

And *IF* they take over Sauber and manage to win eventually they will have made a gigantic leap forward as a full car manufacturer. No pain, no gain. Worth the risk IMHO.

 

I would have the utmost respect for them if they can achieve this. However, looking back through history, very few "factory" teams have ever stuck around long enough to develop a championship winner. Ferrari and Renault are the only teams that I can think of that have done this.

On a different note, and having said that, this is exactly why I don't believe a break-away series can ever succeed. Manufacturers don't normally care to commit to a racing series indefinitely.

 

Doesn't Sauber contract with Ferrari for engines?

 

Next season RBR is having the Ferrari engine and not Sauber afaik.

 

I don't agree. BMW will buy out Sauber eventually i think. Sauber has an impressive wind tunnel and BMW will manage the entire racing operation something they cannot do with Williams. BMW are in F1 to win and they would not jump from Williams to Sauber if they didn't have a long term plan for being more successful than winning a race or two a year.

If anything, Williams may take a step back as they get acclimated to a new engine supplier.

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Renault hasn't done it. Yet.
Mercedes and Alfa did as well.

Aside from Prova85's comments (to which I agree) also note, that BMW and Sauber speak the same language (well almost) and are geographically very close.

 

Williams is a great team they just need a great motor.

 

I agree. Williams F1 team has always been competitive and is a great organization. I can't say that I like how FW treats his drivers sometimes, but I heard that Enzo was pretty much the same way in his days. They both consider it a privilage for the drivers to be chosen to drive for their teams.

I see each engine maunfactures supplying at least 2 teams each in the future, and if indeed that is the case, I would guess that Williams will be with the Renault camp. But then again, Williams also has a good track history with Honda as well. The only issue is, will they get the top engine or act as a junior team. Perhaps VW/Audi will finally step in to the F1 arena, I think that would be pretty cool if they do.

 

You are right.....I got off to thinking that Prost won in a Renault factory car, only to remember he didn't get his 1st one until McLaren. Mercedes and Alfa factory teams were before my time, apologies for not thinking of those two.

Whatever transpires will be interesting. What an interesting sport - I just love it!

 

I could see them doing a deal with Honda. Honda isn't supplying anyone but BAR and they really did have a wonderful relationship in the past. It might actually light a fire under BAR to start performing.

 

I remember when Jabouille showed up with that POS Renault that had that laughable 1.5 liter turbo. Everybody laughed. Until they started winning and the turbo era was born. And oddly enough Renault never won the title, but only thereafter as an engine supplier with the help of the garagisti. This year might be different.

Merc and Alfa also were far before my time and I wouldn't be surprised if I missed some other teams myself. Maserati perhaps?

 

Williams mistakes in recent years:
1) Juan Pablo Montoya - what a mess! wasted a good racing seat!
2) The 'twin keel' design philosophy
3) I have a lot of respect and admiration for Sir Frank Williams. He will always be remembered for his contribution to F1. But he has kept too much control over the team's daily operations and his age has slowed him down. This may prove to be a critical error for the teams future.
4) Jenson Button contract mess
5) Woes with sponsors and branding
6) The development of the facilities at Grove took a long time too.

this list goes on and on....

Williams have been unlucky in recent years to follow some wrong decisions. But such is life and F1 is not very forgiving. They are a good team and have a very good team culture.

BMW on the other have matured since 2000. they provide a very powerful engine that has great potential.

Suggestions for the future:
1) Give NH dedicated number 1 status and find a better number 2 than Mark Webber.
2) Stop all this GPWC waste of time power struggle and concentrate on the real racing.
3) BMW will not stop supplying engines in the near future so it would be a good idea to build on the relationship with them and avoid taking disputes to the media. A constructive discussion between the two partners is better than throwing dirt at each other in public.
4) New leadership under the guidance of Sir Frank Williams.

 

Fangio won in a Maser in 1957.

 

Frank,

I thought BMW had the best egine for the past 2-3 years, Ferrari best combo? Im not attacking your claim I just thought that BMW's engine actually freaked Ferrari out for a bit with being the first to rev over 20K, three years busting out more HP than Ferrari's. Didn't Gerhard Berger retire due in part that BMW's great engine was wasted on a poor design from Williams and BMW deciding not to sever ties and capitalize on their power advantage at the moment.

RocketBoy

 

Here we go..........

 

Ralf Schumacher should have been made the number 1 driver and Williams could have done much better than Montoya to find a suitable number 2. Jenson Button would have been a good number 2.

 

It does not make sense for BMW to drop Williams at the end of the season and go on an exclusive with Sauber. IMO it would be safer to supply both teams for at least a year and then drop Williams if Sauber performs better. I don't think Mario Thiessen will risk it and put all bets on Sauber.

 

Why on earth should Ralf keep the seat when JPM *consistently* outperformed him. Over their careers together JPM had a much higher points per finish than Ralf.

 

My guess: it is a team thing. Would you rather deal with Ralph? Or El Gordo?

 

I'd rather keep the better driver...

 

Agreed. BMW have consistently manufactured the top engines. Considering they only returned in 2000, this is amazing. BMW has the talent and ability to run its own team, and an aquisition of sauber would allow the chance to prove this. I think the facilities alone are worth the move. The williams chassis has been a great dissappointment, in comparison to the BMW engines which have performed at or above the level of ferrari's.