Dissatisfaction in the Williams team with their start to the season has become focused on the performance of lead driver Nico Rosberg.
That the merest hint of criticism of Rosberg was allowed to creep into the team’s official press release after the Spanish Grand Prix hints at the depth of the team’s concerns.
Patrick Head is now talking about wanting a return to the days of Williams having two experienced drivers. But who could they attract to their garage in 2010, and where could Rosberg go?
It is well known that Rosberg’s team mate, Kazuki Nakajima, owes his place at the team largely to their supply of Toyota engines.
The team’s disquiet over Rosberg is in marked contrast to how they guarded his contract at the end of 2007:
Obviously it wouldn’t give the right message to people inside our team either, in terms of people that we have put in significant positions, if we didn’t have a driver whom they felt could make good use of the work they are doing.
But now the team feels Rosberg has squandered crucial opportunities to score His string of top practice times early in the season (he was quickest in eight of the 15 practice sessions so far this year) has not been matched by similar results in practice and qualifying. Yes, he’s had the beating of Nakajima – but have either of them been getting the most out of the FW31?
| Williams in 2009 | Nico Rosberg | Kazuki Nakajima |
| Australia | 5/6 | 11/DNF |
| Malaysia | 4/8 | 11/12 |
| China | 7/15 | 14/DNF |
| Bahrain | 9/9 | 12/DNF |
| Spain | 9/8 | 11/13 |
(Qualifying / race)
Williams in 2010
Inevitably any speculation over who might be driving for who in 2010 will be affected by what might happen to the sport next year – but let’s leave that discussion for elsewhere.
Could Head’s desire to have two experienced drivers in the team lead them to re-consider their partnership with Toyota? With new, low-cost engine supply deals on offer next year Williams could split with Toyota in favour of, say, Cosworth, leaving them free to choose drivers on merit instead of expediency – bad news for Nakajima.
Most of the drivers on the grid have to renew their contracts this year, giving Williams a wide selection to choose from. Among the most experienced picks are:
Nick Heidfeld – Drove for the team in 2005 before being whisked away to BMW by Mario Theissen. Stacks of experience and hugely reliable.
Rubens Barrichello – In a winning car this year but not getting much winning out of it. Can’t be beaten on experience, but would he want a change of team this late in his career?
Jarno Trulli – Has a reputation for being fast but fickle, which isn’t exactly what Williams needs, but has over 204 starts to his name.
Who do you think Williams should pick for 2010? Are they right to focus their attention on F1’s more experienced drivers?
Nico Rosberg in 2010
Head’s thinly-veiled criticism of Rosberg may not do the driver’s stock much good. But plenty of rival teams will wonder whether the problems at Grove stem from Williams failing to extract the maximum from of their driver.
A greater obstacle he might face is that German drivers account for one quarter of the F1 grid – himself plus Nick Heidfeld (BMW), Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), Timo Glock (Toyota) and Adrian Sutil (Force India). Teams are not likely to want to diminish their marketing potential by having two drivers of the same nationality.
With that in mind, who could be courting Rosberg for 2010?
McLaren – Wanted Rosberg to partner Lewis Hamilton for 2008, the pair having driven for the McLaren-Mercedes-backed kart team in 2000.
They weren’t able to prise Rosberg out of his Williams contract at the time. But with Heikki Kovalainen’s deal set to expire at the end of this year the way is clear for them to take him on now – if they still want him.
BMW – On paper a Heidfeld-Rosberg swap makes a lot of sense. Rosberg’s German nationality is a good fit for BMW’s marketing needs, and Heidfeld has often struggled for pace relative to Robert Kubica since 2007.
Do you think Rosberg will leave Williams? Who do you expect to take his place in 2010 – and where will he go?
Read more
- 2010 F1 driver market wide open
- Williams to lose RBS sponsorship in 2010
- Hulkenberg eyes 2010 Williams seat
- 2010 F1 drivers and teams
- F1 2010 Season
Image (C) Williams/LAT
Sumedh
20th May 2009, 12:12
One must realise that Rosberg is only a no.2 driver; or at best a Felipe Massa (who is some sort of in-between no.1 and no.2).
Rosberg can’t probably go to Mclaren, Heikki’s being pretty loyal. He will probably go to a lower rung team, I feel.
glamourBob
20th May 2009, 12:39
I agree. Rosberg would be a good no.2. So, ordinarily Williams should be trying to find a driver to replace Nakajima in order to fulfil the role of no.1 for the team, with Rosberg as back-up.
Trouble is, I’m presuming Nico is on a fairly good salary. Williams probably can’t afford to have 2 highly paid drivers, so if Williams want to progress, they may well opt for an all new driver line up for next year.
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 13:48
I don’t see why Rosberg can’t go to Mclaren in 2010. If heikki carries on performing below par then they may go for a switch of drivers.
SatuQc
20th May 2009, 20:18
I think that Jacques Villeneuve could bring a wealth of experience. Plus, he’s always been a member of the big William family.
In a recent interview, he said he was very open to come back to F1.
Michel S.
21st May 2009, 2:05
Jacques did not perform too well at Renault and Sauber, though. Granted, the return to slicks might help, but look at the other drivers with slick experiences — Trulli and Barrichello. Neither of them is outperforming their younger team mates by a significant margin.
Jay Menon
22nd May 2009, 5:55
I like the idea of Villeneuve returning, but maybe not as lead driver. He could very be the experienced No.2 driver like Ruebens, but knowing Jacques, he wont have any of that. Villenueve was one of the last “real” racers and it would great to have him back. The slicks may aid his style.
I think Williams should keep Rosberg and give him another shot. Williams have not developed him to much over the ast few years in ways they have done in the past. If he goes, Mclaren should be his destination. We all know he is held in high regard over in Woking.
If they get rid of Nakajima for the likes of Kobayashi, providing they want to keep the Toyota engines, I personally feel they have a good thing going. I am a fan of Rosberg and I think he’s got lot of potential, he just needs to channel it correctly. If they bring in an experienced driver, likes Heidfeld, would be a good shout too.
I just think Nico needs more development.
Dougie
20th May 2009, 12:18
For Williams a Barrichello/Heidfeld combination would suit them well next year.
Rosberg could well end up at McLaren or perhaps BMW… I think there is still a lot of interest in him and that Williams (as they have always been prone to) have not got the best from their driver.
Richard Merk
20th May 2009, 12:40
I think Rosberg is a top class driver. Don’t forget that even when Alex Wurz and Mark Webber were his teammate, he was still out performing them/out qualifying them.
If there is any circuit he will excel at, it will be in Monaco. I expect to see him at the front of the grid in qualifying.
If anything is wrong with williams, it’s the strategy. These problems have been at the team long before Rosberg came along.
Ace
20th May 2009, 13:40
Rosberg outperforming Webber? Say whaa?
We must’ve been watching a different season.
In quali, Webber beat Rosberg 13 to 5, of the races they both finished, Webber always finished in front of Rosberg. Webber finished the season with more points, even though Nico retired from 9 races compared with Mark’s 11.
I think Rosberg is probably the most overrated driver on the grid. I presume he’s well fancied because of his fastest lap on debut in Bahrain. Even so, he didn’t outperform Webber when they were teammates by any stretch of the imagination. Thought I’d better set the record straight.
Clare msj
20th May 2009, 15:54
They were teammates in Rosberg’s first season, its a little unfair to compare really, Webber had four years worth of experience over him. The fact he even managed to beat Webber 5 times in qualifying was quite an achievement given that Webbber is ‘Mr Qualifying’ after all. And the ‘of the races they both finished’ – with such a high number of retirements between them, how many races did they actually both finish over the season to make this comparison?
The presumption that people rate Rosberg based on a fastest lap on his debut – is that based on the same principle that people fancied Mark Webber based on a fifth (out of seven) in a Minardi, and one front row in the Jag (immediately lost off the line)? Granted Webber has had some good results of late, but I think it is a little harsh to write off Rosberg as someone only rated based on one result, especially given your comparison is to Webber who could have been put under that same criticism at the same point in his career.
I dont beleive that Rosberg is particularly overrated at all – he has done a decent job with the cars he has had, cos the Williams hasnt been an overly great car for a few years now – so its not like wins or podiums have been an option. A few points appearances yes, but he has achieved that – and on occasion more (Australia, Singapore last year for two recent examples)
sunny stivala
20th May 2009, 12:48
sounds like Williams going to be a retirement house full of pensioners
Michel S.
21st May 2009, 2:07
It’s quite surprising to see Mark’s starts being quite good this year, actually. I almost forgot how many good qualifying positions he squandered on lap 1 in the past.
David
20th May 2009, 12:58
Agree that Heidfeld-Rosberg swap could be a benefit for all.
janis1207
20th May 2009, 12:58
Rosberg could be suffering from the midfieldman syndrome (no matter what you do, you end up P6 – P10). This can extinguish the spark required for the winner.
Also, like almost everybody on the current grid (except perhaps Alonso), he has demonstrated no real leadership abilities. So, he could fit perfectly in McLaren…
Dirk Gently
20th May 2009, 12:59
How about Hamilton at Williams???? Ok, it’ll never happen.
Gman
21st May 2009, 1:11
If they had the car, perhaps it could. But he’d need to take a big pay cut…;)
Clare msj
20th May 2009, 13:04
I think Rosberg has done alright this year – he’s made the top ten in qualifying every race this year, and has scored points in three of the five races. Given that Brawn and Red Bull are likely to have both cars in the points, and Toyota have been quite strong, and the odd appearance from Mclaren, Ferrari and the super relaible Heidfeld – i dont think he has done too badly. It surprises me that the team are suggesting he needs to do better, when he has done considerably better than Nakajima all season. He has been compromised by team issues more than I would say he has messed up if anything.
I would like to see Williams stick with Rosberg next year – he has been loyal, he has for the most part achieved well, and has done an ok job of leading the team despite only having been in F1 for a short time. They could do a lot worse. And I wouldnt really call him inexperienced in F1 anymore – this is his fourth year – it is more than several other drivers – in fact he ranks 9th of the current drivers in terms of races started – just over half way.
I dont think two experienced drivers is necessarily the way to go – obviously it is working for Brawn, but Red Bull are doing ok with Vettel’s limited experience. Glock isnt doing a bad job for Toyota either and he has done half the number of races that Rosberg has. And then look at Mclaren last year – two very inexperienced drivers and they took one championship and were second in the other.
All that said, Heidfeld would definitely be an asset to the team (although I would prefer him to stay at BMW). I cant see Barrichello or Trulli going there, and I’m not sure who else there would be who would be better than Rosberg in the experience stakes, other than those mentioned, that would be in a position to go to Williams. I think continuity should count as well as experience – something which Rosberg does have in his favour.
My ideal Williams line up next year would be Rosberg and Hulkenberg, although I can understand the two drivers of same nationality in a team marketing thingy – but with the number of German drivers either in F1 or lurking around just outside it, its going to get rather difficult!
Gman
21st May 2009, 1:14
You’re not advocating for them to get Ralf out of retirement? ;)
Clare msj
21st May 2009, 9:16
Haha, ooh that could always be an option – he was, after all, Williams longest serving driver – they must have liked him ;) :P And he did win races for them….six whole races…! More than anyone has since him as well….lol
ajokay
21st May 2009, 9:35
hahaha… Ralf Schumacher…
Chalky
20th May 2009, 13:09
Only in the early 1980’s (Jones \ Keke Rosberg) and in 1997 (Villeneuve) have Williams kept the drivers that won a WDC. In 1998 there was a huge rule change and Williams lost their dominance.
So it seems odd that now Williams want to keep hold of experienced drivers when I’ve watched Piquet \ Mansell \ Prost \ Hill all win a WDC with Williams and then leave the team.
The final WDC for Williams was Jacques. Was he experienced enough to help develop the car in 1998 with the rule changes as he only started in F1 in 1996? Is this something that Patrick Head is looking at when he looks at Rosberg?
Maybe the penny has dropped for Head and the drivers of the past that gave the WDC gave them better feedback for engineering the car?
Lustigson
20th May 2009, 13:40
No, in 1998 Williams lost their Renault engines. They were again a force running BMW engines, winning 10 GPs from 2001-2004, and beating McLaren-Mercedes in the WCC twice in that period. Only after that, and after losing the BMW engines, were they relegated to the second half of the grid.
gabal
20th May 2009, 14:21
But 3 of those finished their carriers in Williams too so it is a bit of a unfair criticysm. Ok, Mansell returned to the cockpit for a few times but the official reason why he didn’t drive for Williams next year was because he was ending his F1 career and racing in USA.
CRM
20th May 2009, 13:10
I always thought that Rosberg was demanding a better car from Willimans and he would move elsewhere unless Williams could supply him with a car that could match his ambitions.
I thought Williams were struggling to hold onto Rosberg, not him worrying about being dropped by them!
ukk
20th May 2009, 13:19
A weird thought – Adrian Sutil ;-)
But what is also possible – remember 2008 – Vettel had a disastrous start to the year, but improved as the season progressed. Could this happen to Rosberg too?
Gman
21st May 2009, 1:15
I was thinking Sutil, but half the people I talk to seem to love him, and the other half seem to think he’s not worth a dime. I really don’t have a strong opinion myself.
John H
20th May 2009, 13:19
The Williams has a massive problem with tyre management as far as I can see – that’s why Rosberg cannot translate the short fill practice times to race pace.
Remember Melbourne – the Williams’ tyres were getting mashed.
Rosberg is a quality driver, a much better racer than Massa for example, and definitely a driver that Williams should be aiming to keep in 2010 IMHO.
John H
22nd May 2009, 13:29
To quote Rosberg: “We also have massive graining problems, on longer runs the rears are destroyed totally”
I’m not sure the rears will get quite so destroyed at Monaco, so we should see a decent placing for Rosberg here.
PJA
20th May 2009, 13:21
With the constant rule changes and lack of in season testing I think having an experienced driver is even more important than it was a few years ago. Recently a driver may spend a season testing before being promoted to the race team, or at the very least had in season testing to iron out any problems he might have once he was in F1, now that is not an option open to them.
Patrick Head’s wish to have two experienced drivers is perfectly understandable and not just because of the direct benefits they would bring to the team.
In the past new drivers usually had to start out with the back markers as the top teams rarely took a chance on a rookie, when I read the article on Autosport what I took Head as meaning was that if they were in a position to attract established drivers it would mean they would be competitive again.
Apart from Hamilton and drivers coming from Indycar/CART such as Montoya can anyone tell me the last time Ferrari, McLaren or Williams (when they were still successful) had a rookie driver?
I have always been of the opinion that ideally a team shouldn’t change both drivers at the same time, so they have some continuity.
Next year could see the biggest changes in driver line up for a few seasons, even if we don’t get any new teams and just have the ten current ones.
Unless the rest of the season is very different I think Rosberg will have a few options next year but I think he will probably still be at Williams.
DGR-F1
20th May 2009, 13:37
I wonder if Williams are trying a bit of deviousness to stop people listening when Rosberg says the car isn’t any good. Its always much easier to blame the driver.
Would it be easy for the team to break an engine contract with Toyota? Thats going to cost them money, since even if Toyota the team leave, there is no reason for them not to still supply engines (and drivers?).
And even if they do manage to entice more experienced drivers into the team, are they still capable of making a car to say Barrichelo’s or Heidfeld’s requirements?
And if they are, why aren’t they doing it for Rosberg?
Rosberg would certainly be a good replacement for Heikki at McLaren, but considering his current form, so would I :-)
gabal
20th May 2009, 19:04
Well, the breaking of engine deal is a non-issue because the deal is about to expire… As for Nico going to replace Heiki in McLaren – I don’t see it happening. If he had wanted to go to McLaren to serve as Hamilton’s no.2 driver he would have done it allready. He was the first choice as Alonso pulled out but he declined as they wanted him ”because he was beaten by Hamilton while they were team-mates and didn’t throw a tantrum”.
Michel S.
21st May 2009, 2:15
I always thought that was the wrong call. Sure, he would be McLaren’s #2 (if Alonso could not get preferential treatment as a reigning WDC, a newcomer without a race win would definitely start on the back-foot against Hamilton), but even Kovalainen managed a win in his first year.
Is it really the fear of being branded a #2 (ala Barrichello), or is it mostly a sense of loyalty? He must be ruing his choice — even the terrible (by their standard) McLaren of this year is outscoring the (supposedly good) Williams.
Daffid
20th May 2009, 13:40
Rosberg has had his chance and blown it. There’s far too much emphasis in F1 on occasional fast laps, the ONLY thing that matters is points, something Rosberg has precious few of. He’s been shockingly inconsistent since he entered the game, clearly something everyone – myself included – thought would pass as he gained experience. But it hasn’t, he’s another Jarno Trulli, in fact worse, as at least Trulli isn’t prone to slamming into other drivers all the time. His reputation has been built on myths, including the one that he’s quicker than Webber – well not over a full race distance he isn’t and that’s what counts.
Williams can do better, McLaren can do much better. Let him go to one of the new teams. And to think Williams laughed at the idea of giving DC a drive when he left McLaren. They might have scored a lot more points, and once again been the sort of team attracting real stars like Vettel to them by now if they had.
Clare msj
20th May 2009, 14:38
Rosberg has finished every race this year, and has more points than his teammate – Nakajima hasnt even been within sniffing distance of the points – and thats if he even finishes a race. Rosberg has actually been pretty consistent this year in the races and in qualifying – he’s not qualified lower than ninth, which is more than can be said for a lot of big names this season, and given how competitive it is between some of the teams this year thats not a bad achievement.
Although his results seemed a little erratic last year, the car really wasnt the best on the grid, and when the chance of a podium came up he took it – twice. The car wasnt naturally capable of a podium, it was only ever really going to be there through good fortune and his drive to the podium in Singapore was brilliant, he managed that despite having a penalty for pitting under the safety car.
As for the Webber thing, its a little unfair to be making comparisons there, it was his first season in F1, and Webber was on his fifth – of course you would expect Webber to beat him. And from 2007 onwards you cant really make a fair comparison because their cars were different.
Who on this grid currently, that is not already signed to a team for next year, would be better in the long term, and would realistically consider a move there, than Rosberg at Williams.
Chaz
20th May 2009, 13:44
I suspect WilliamsF1 are getting more anxious because their debts are mounting and they need a big sponsor to replace RBS, which will be difficult without solid results. And lets face it, Nico is their best bet at getting any results of the two of them. How about Anthony Davidson, although it would be a shame to loose him from the BBC commentary team. I still think Nico should be at McLaren…
Ace
20th May 2009, 13:56
Ant can still be on the BBC commentary team. He’ll just need to speak a bit louder, that’s all. ;)
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 13:58
The trouble with Williams wanting top drivers again is. Well are there any of the current top drivers available.
who are the top drivers at the moment?
HAMILTON
VETTEL
RAIKKONEN
MASSA maybe
KUBICA
I don’t think any of them would want to move to williams any time soon.
Also Williams would need to have a good Engine and suitable chassis to persuade any top driver to hop over to them.
Remember 1990 when Mansell was persuaded to come back to Williams after he retired from Ferrari. He demanded they do all sorts of stuff to the car to make it competative. Which is why they dominated most of the 90’s.
Williams needs that kind of commitment from a very good driver.
I am at a loss to think of someone though.
Clive
20th May 2009, 14:24
I’d have put the “maybe” with Raikkonen, not Massa. :D
As for Rosberg, Williams are lucky to have him. He may not be the best but he’s quick enough to do much better than Williams’ strategy has allowed him to be. In Melbourne it was the team that ordered Rosberg to speed up and so wreck his soft tyres and it is the team that brings him in for pit stops at exactly the wrong moments.
It is true that Nico should assert some authority and do a bit of ordering himself. But not many drivers have the guts to do that – most of them (especially Williams drivers – would you pick a fight with Patrick Head?) are too worried that they’ll lose their jobs if they don’t do as they’re told.
Williams can’t afford to pay a big name so they have no option but to try less experienced drivers without reputations. And, if they dump Rosberg for 2010, they’ll kick themselves later in the year when they see what he can do in another team.
It’s the team that’s the problem, not the driver (or the car).
K
20th May 2009, 14:30
I don’t think Kubica is any better than Massa which is to say both are quite good, Kubica isn’t exactly making the best of his admittedly poor car. You’re also missing Alonso probably the best driver in the field along with Hamilton in my opinion, I think those two stand out from the rest as drivers who can turn up to every GP and be quick.
But yeah none of them is gonna want to go to Williams. But there are other experienced drivers out there although I’d be surprised if BMW let Heidfeld go.
pSynrg
20th May 2009, 19:09
I have to scratch two from that list. Kubica & Raikkonen.
Replace with Alonso & Button of course!
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 14:00
Now it would seem that the Mercedes Engine is a very good one so maybe Williams could try to get that supply away from say Force India and see if it suits their chassis better than the Toyota. And maybe then a top driver will be tempted.
I can’t see anyone looking to williams though on the form they have so far this season.
pSynrg
20th May 2009, 19:11
They can’t afford that. Toyota = Nakajima = Toyota. Or maybe Sutil comes with the Mercedes motors. Hmmm, maybe…
Pete Walker
20th May 2009, 14:27
I think Rosberg to McLaren is a pretty good shout. Bad luck or not, Heikki just isn’t pulling out the results McLaren need and a German driver would obviously keep Mercedes very happy.
As for Williams, despite Head’s recent criticisms of Hulkenberg, I still think they see him as a future talent. Having watched him in A1GP, I’m inclined to agree. They’ll want to hold on to him. I think they really need to ditch Nakajima though – Kobayashi is Toyota backed and would surely be at least an equal to Kazuki if not better.
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 14:37
Gabal??? which 3 finished their careers at williams then?
And i will say the reason Nigel Mansell Left Williams at the end of 1992 was Because Frank Williams brought in Prost over the objections of Mansell. Mansell had had a torrid time with Prost when they were paired at Ferrari in 1990. So Mansell wasn’t going to stay for another year of that.
So he decided to retire from F1 and went racing in indycar.
Yes Prost ended his career with Williams, but Hill didn’t and Piquet didn’t.
gabal
20th May 2009, 19:11
My bad, I was at work and wrote before I checked the facts… I was counting Piquet and Mansell – and I stay with Mansell as he never did a full season in F1 again – I bealive he did 6 more races after his retirement with Willams.
Win7Golf
20th May 2009, 14:41
BMW is possible for Nico, if they can make a competitive car.
On the other hand, I don’t see Heidfeld… anywhere… He should retire.
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 14:48
I agree Clive that it’s the team not Rosberg. I rate Rosberg quite highly and if he gets the breaks he could easily be championship winning material.
glamourBob
20th May 2009, 15:51
what are you basing this opinion on? Rosberg has done nothing to deserve such praise.
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 14:51
One question regards any possible move for Rosberg.
Is he tied to any particular team, for instance has he been loaned to williams? is he a Mercedes protege? or is he with a manager like Flavio who might block any kind of move.
I’m sure a pairing of Rosberg and Hamilton at Mclaren could be a good one.
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 14:53
Would Heidfeld want to go back to Williams now?
Maybe if he was pushed out of BMW.
mf
20th May 2009, 17:37
Why did you leave Alonso out?
Red Andy
20th May 2009, 14:57
My belief is that Williams have a fundamentally good car this season, but it is being wasted on their drivers because neither Rosberg nor Nakajima has the ability to get the most out of it.
Rosberg is highly overrated – he threw away several precious scoring opportunities last year because of driving errors, and this year he’s not been able to translate the obvious pace of the car (as shown in practice) into race results.
I was always bemused by Nico’s comments that he wanted a race-winning car from Williams or he would leave, because with an attitude like that (and not really much ability to compensate for it) he’ll be lucky to have a drive at all for 2010. He’s turning into another Ralf “I don’t have to make an effort because the car’s not fast enough” Schumacher.
Chris
20th May 2009, 15:12
What good driver would actually want to go to Williams? They will be stuck with whoever is leftover from the good teams. Plus, historically, they’ve always had poor relationships with their drivers.
If Williams are in a position to choose, they should try to get Heidfeld. Willi Weber should be doing everything possible to get Hulkenberg attached to a different team.
antonyob
20th May 2009, 15:20
Hmm williams philosophy of the driver just being a changeable component is being tested if this article is true. I think if you are the best car then their argument works but if you are not then a driver of Lewis’s or Vettels class can make the difference between 8th and 4th
luky
20th May 2009, 15:48
rosberg is too weak.
it was a mistake taken him with a low salary over a experienced driver as webber.
kiko is fast but make too mistakes when it counts.
sam michaels is another guy that doesn’t understand winning.
also don’t undertand how fanatic.co.uk can be bodered with this issues when that are far better one’s to discuss – fota v fia.
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 16:53
if F1Fanatic just concentrated on the FIA vs Fota thing then we’d all go mad. And stuff would be repeated over and over. We need other stuff to read and discuss to take our minds off the really big issue of the future of F1
I applaud Keith.
However Oliver Holt is another story. shouldn’t be giving him extra exposure.
Richard S
20th May 2009, 17:04
so go take your comments elsewhere (sorry).
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
20th May 2009, 20:18
I’m not ignoring it – I’ve written plenty about it (including a new article that’s just gone live).
But I’d like to continue covering the sport as well as the tedious political melodrama.
luky
20th May 2009, 15:57
basically head is saying rosberg can sign where he wants.
certainly not a millionaire contract with williams.
Rikadyn
20th May 2009, 16:53
Well, If Raikkonen is forced out of Ferrari, like is rumored the owner wants, maybe it’ll **** him off enough to go someplace else and show up Ferrari.
Sorta like the end of Le Mans when the driver is pulled in favor of Steve McQueen running the final stint.
Damon
20th May 2009, 18:12
It’s quite pathetic and farcical to be complaining at Rosberg when you’ve got the second driver who is ten times slower than him on every occasion.
My impression in this season has always been that Rosberg keeps proving how fast a driver he is, but the Williams team fail at prepairing a proper race set-up for his car.
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 18:18
Glamourbob
It’s just a feeling i get from Nico.
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 18:20
MF
I left Alonso out because i don’t rate him highly and i hate Blackmailers.
Philip Mortstedt
20th May 2009, 18:48
Send Kovalainen packing and stick Nico next to Lewis and have an enjoyable 2010
/PM
gabal
20th May 2009, 19:15
I think most of the stories are a spin from this interview by Patrick Head . Most of that interview was a speculation what would Williams want if Nico Rosberg left at the end of the season and it was more Hulkenberg bashing as he stated (or his manager) that he wants a drive in Williams in 2010.
mp4-19
20th May 2009, 19:26
yes! the moment i’ve been waiting for has finally arrived! bruno senna replaces nico rosberg at williams. williams owe ayrton at least 4 driver championships from 94-97. they must give it to his nephew. bruno will emulate his late great uncle. frank williams owes this to the senna family. he has to rope in bruno. nico is as good as his pup keke. so but true. he’ll make a formidable pair at mclaren.
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 20:49
So you’re trying to say Frank Williams is responsible for a freak accident?
mp4-19
21st May 2009, 3:47
no,i never meant that. all that i was trying to say that senna would have had a fruitful career at williams if he were to be alive. since he’s gone, i feel the ideal replacement for nico would be bruno. everyone wants to see bruno & compare him to piquet jr,nico,nakajima jr. its high time he gets a drive.
BrokenBaculum
20th May 2009, 20:04
If things go awry with Ferrari and the FIA this season, and leave Santander with no F1 exposure, i can see Alonso going to Williams. It’d be really great – in fact i’d pay to see it. As a team-mate, somebody like Heidfeld would be good. He’s solid, reliable, and will keep Alonso honest.
Williams can, and WILL, be at the top again, as I’ve stated many times on many sites they need a Ross Brawn to push the team forward. This, paired with an excellent top-class driver, and a steady engine supply, and they will unbeatable.
If everything stays the same, and the manufacturers stay put, then i can see Nico going to Renault, replacing Piquet Jr. Williams would then take a punt with Hulkenberg and Senna/Buemi.
Leslie
20th May 2009, 23:56
Rosberg and Senna only have one thing going for them, their surnames.
ajokay
21st May 2009, 9:38
Don’t forget young Piquet too. He’s all surname and no talent.
Alejandro35
20th May 2009, 20:13
Juan Pablo Montoya won the last GP for Williams (Brazil, 2004). After that, neither JPM nor Williams have had the best of lucks. Would it be possible to think that JPM is still a driver to consider?
On a side note, here in Colombia we used to be fervant followers of JPM. Since we went to NASCAR (not so appealing when compared with F1), everybody seems to have forgotten about him. I am sure a return of JPM to F1 would add some 3+ million viewers to the current ratings.
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 21:03
I don’t think Montoya would come back to F1. He felt he didn’t like the politics of the sport and he also felt that FIA was picking on him. A fair point in my opinion.
Gman
21st May 2009, 1:21
I doubt Montoya would ever come back to F1- the NASCAR life is too good to him, and once he gets the cars down path he’s going to be a real threat for the Sprint Cup.
Michael
20th May 2009, 21:41
Nico always seems to be one of the heaviest in the top 10. Why Williams don’t go more aggressive is puzzling. In the dry races he’s pretty much stuck in the lower points places because the RB & Brawn have bolted & everybody else is in the Trulli train.
Go light and see what happens surely it can’t be any worse?
manatcna
20th May 2009, 22:20
Has everybody overlooked the obvious?
Taku, of course.
Think about it
scunnyman
20th May 2009, 23:20
But Sato is n ot much better than nakajima really. he is just as erratic. Sato is not a consistent driver. And i feel most, if not all japanese drivers have been inconsistent.
mp4-19
21st May 2009, 3:51
imho williams should replace rosberg & nakajima with montoya & villeneuve. that would revive them of their glory days.
Tom L
20th May 2009, 23:59
Although I’m not sure it would do either of their careers much good, what with Williams being in the state they’re currently in, a Trulli – Heidfeld partnership would work well in my opinion. Trulli’s superb qualifying pace coupled with Heidfeld’s consistency and overtaking skills would probably ensure that at least one of them was in the points or thereabouts for most races.
Gman
21st May 2009, 1:25
I really doubt Rosberg is leaving- unless some other driver is forced out, I don’t see them picking up anyone who is that much better than what they have in Nico at the moment.
If Rosberg wanted to leave, I don’t think McLaren is his first stop. Everyone harps about how much Ron wanted him in Woking a few years back, but don’t forget that his dad keeps a close eye on his career, and warned him about the favoritism given to Hamilton by the team.
zerogee
21st May 2009, 4:09
If you get beaten by Mark Webber, that’s not a bad thing. They guy’s a gun. But Rosberg got belted by him.
I can’t see McLaren wanting him because his practice times are writing cheques his racing boots can’t cash (wow, that was tortured…). I think he is certainly the most over-rated driver and I think Williams have given him a handy package with which he has done two-tenths of nothing. Harsh, yes, but given its obvious speed, a few points his miserly.
A switch with Heidfeld would be a waste of time for all concerned and sending him to McLaren to replace Heikki Kovalainen would also be a waste. If they keep Heikki, the team stays stable and Lewis can get on with racing. If they switch him for glamour-puss Rosberg, not only do they have to start again, they may have to deal with a Hamilton hissy-fit.
Send him to Toyota where he can get on with his anonymity safe in the knowledge they value mediocrity above all.
scunnyman
21st May 2009, 5:49
Michel S
When did Trulli drive an F1 car with slicks before this season?
ajokay
21st May 2009, 9:40
His first year in F1 – 1997.
Patrickl
21st May 2009, 18:25
I think the problem with Williams and Rosberg is their free practice strategy. They seem to be going for fast laps during free practice rather than good setup.
So then Rosberg looks like a possible podium during practice (because of his fast laps), but during the race he tends to fail (due to poor strategy and poor race setup).
If they (Williams+Rosberg) would just put more effort in working on the race setup and strategy during free practice, they wouldn’t look so stupid all the time.
Leaf
21st May 2009, 21:46
Nico goes to McLaren.
Williams goes for Cosworth engines and jettisons Naka.
They pickup….ready?…Davidson partnered by Sutil.
Kov? he winds up at Force India.
I know, its crazy. But F1 is pretty wacky these days too!
Bas
22nd May 2009, 10:38
I was thinking of exactly the same two possibilities for Rosberg, the McLaren option being a bit more likely as Heikki is leaving a performance gap and Nico and Lewis are good friends too. But I dont think Williams will be that quick to let him off the hook; they wont get anyone more talented in his place. Still, Id say its very possible theyll end up with two new drivers, but one of them will almost surely be Hülkenberg, considering the faith that Head has in this guy.
As for Nakajima? I think he may be looking for a test drive if he doesnt get back on pace; on the other hand, if he does, he might still secure a 2nd seat drive with a number of teams.
The Limit
23rd May 2009, 4:45
In many ways, I think it is a bit rich of Patrick Head to come out and single Nico Rosberg for so much criticism and so publically. Nakajima, as we all know, is at Williams to keep Toyota happy. His results, compared to Rosbergs, speak from themselves.
When you look around the rest of the grid, who else among the major teams is coming up trumps? Heikki Kovalainen at McLaren is nowhere, absolutely at sea. Robert Kubica is having a nightmare season with BMW Sauber, a team he criticises terribly when things don’t go his way. Kimi Raikkonen has picked up where he left off last year.
The only drivers who are not in top performing cars and are trying damn hard appear to be Hamilton, Massa, Alonso and Rosberg.
As for bringing in ‘older’ drivers, its a total joke.
If I were Rosberg I would be asking serious questions about Williams, and their capabilities at becoming
title contenders again. When one looks back at their last grands prix victory, back at Sao Paulo in 2004 with Montoya, it is painfully obvious that this team has been in trouble long before Nico arrived.
Mark Webber for instance, a much fancied talent among the pundits, is proving his speed at Red Bull. During his career at Williams, the only shots you got of the Aussie were usually those of him climbing out of a burning car.
I always felt that McLaren should have secured Rosberg’s services after losing Alonso in 2007. I firmly believe that Rosberg/Hamilton would have worked as a pairing, without Hamilton losing his prestigious number one status within the team. LOL.
To win the constructors title, you need both cars to score big points everytime out. Kovalainen didn’t do it last year enough, and neither this year. Every point, moreorless, has come through Lewis.
scunnyman
23rd May 2009, 6:11
I agree that Mclaren would have done better having Rosberg replace alonso. But i have heard he wanted to but was blocked. And i believe Alonso’s move back to Renault was negotiated with Heikki in mind for the switch.