(from autosport) Frank Williams feared that he would lose Nico Rosberg to McLaren in 2009, despite rejecting a 'majestic' offer for the German at the end of last year. Rosberg originally only had a firm contract with the Grove-based team for 2008, with options beyond that, but he decided to extend it for another season at the end of last year. The German has also subsequently made it clear that he hopes to stay at the team even longer providing they can give him a quick enough car. Speaking about Rosberg's decision to renegotiate his contract at the end of last year, Williams said: "I was a little surprised that he was happy to sign to stay. I feared he would go to McLaren, and I was a bit surprised he didn't. "He could not have gone there this year, he had a fixed contract, but 2009 was going to be the worry. We had an option for 2009 but it was very tough terms, based on the constructors' championship. It was by no means guaranteed we would achieve it." Rosberg had been one of the leading contenders to fill the McLaren seat vacated by Fernando Alonso at the end of last year - although a move there for 2008 would have meant Williams releasing him. Williams has confirmed that McLaren did approach his team about buying Rosberg about of his contract, but made it clear they were not interested in selling him on. "It was never a thought we entertained," he said. "We had an offer from you know who, of majestic proportions, but it was never ever discussed. "Why would we give away the crown jewels? Why bother improving the car by one second if we then give away half a second with the driver." Although Rosberg has indicated several times that he would love to have a long-term future with Williams, co-owner Patrick Head admits the onus will be on the team to prove they can give him the goods to fulfil his potential. "If we go through the next year and a half and show no signs of being able to get ourselves seriously up to the front, then I am sure his long term interests will go elsewhere," he explained. "He is definitely capable of winning races and definitely capable of winning championships, as he showed in GP2. But he is doing everything he can to help us get back into a competitive position."
Autosport also had another article on how Lewis Hamilton had a falling out with McLaren a few years ago and wanted to be part of Williams, but Williams said no.
Rosberg looked good to me, but I didn't see anything that made me take real notice. I wasn't really watching him closely so there's a good chance I missed something...what was it. If I remember right, he wasn't killed Wurz like he should have been. Yes he was beating Wurz, but Wurz wasn't that far behind was he? Mark
Actually BMW said no, Frank Williams wanted Hamilton but BMW insisted there was no money in the budget.
That doesn't sound like the real reason. If Hamilton wanted to go to Williams a few years ago they could have bought out his contract for (relative) peanuts.
After-the-fact, maybe, but I'm sure realizes it was not just Lewis that was fast - he had the best car under him last year. TONS of new drivers show up every year with impeccable statistics from under-series, and 90% of them do NOTHING. Lewis appears to be in the other 10%.
+1 I still remember how he did in 2006, and Mark Webber generally beating him. I'm also unimpressed that he beat Wurz, a guy who was a tester for the past half decade or something.
1st race of his career Nico set fast lap. He has the skill, but I'm not sure why he is staying at Williams unless he has something to hide.
