Williams?

[markfarrell9572]

Will this once great team be great again?

[Scott]

Hmmm, let's say not in the next couple of years.  They seem to be flailing around at the moment.  It's a shame they didn't get Symonds (or try to get him), as they need someone with more complete experience as a Tech Director than Coughlan brings.  But beyond that, they obviously need cash.  That one I don't understand since I'm sure there are plenty of Fortune 500 companies that would be proud to support a team with a pedigree like Williams.  I wonder if Paar somehow scares them off. 

[John S]

I think Coughlan is more a replacement for Head than Sam Michael, Scott.

To awnser the original question, it's a definite maybe.   The team still has the yearning, but the potential has been a bit lacking of late. I'm sure they still have the pedigree and this year's car has been more innovative in many areas than Ferrari's, unfortunately without the resources that come with a works engine deal they seem to have suffered more than the other big teams. Cosworth has not been able to keep pace with the big boys on the exhaust blowing for example, we may see an improvement in Williams pace relative to the top guys now the hot blowing ban is coming into force.

Hard to see how Williams will break free of mid pack though until the new engine regs start in 2014, however they have suprised in the past and the hunger still seems to be there.

 

[Williamsfan]

In all honesty, I cannot see it anymore.  Every year I delude myself there will be a return to former glories but it is not going to happen.  We appointed two new guys today, there is an awful lot of pressure on their shoulders, along with Mike Coughlan... 

As for the new regs... Every time they are 'reset' as such, the team are always super confident yet always come up short, even when they have a good idea like the double diffuser, or this year with the short gear box.  I am not sure what they can do anymore to improve, but they seem to be stuck in a mid-table groove with no apparent way of moving out of it. 

For me, at the very least:
Parr has to go, from what I've read he really annoys most of the team and seems overly arrogant, there must be better candidates for his position?!
Symonds has to come in, him and Coughlan I think would do a good job as between them they've been there and done that.  I'm highly dubious of the two new guys (Somerville and Gillan) given their most recent experience was with Toyota (although admittedly Somerville was with Renault from the end of last year). 
Barrichello needs to be retired- His technical prowess seems over-rated given the muddling form the team has shown since he arrived.  Good one race, missing the next...  Now Maldonado is pushing him close at some circuits there seems even less reason to cling on to the master-whinger. 
Maldonado- I am not sure about him, my gut says drop him but he is doing a little better now so maybe deserves a second season, but so did Hulkenberg, just he lacked the cash sadly. 

[cosworth151]

Williams has the infrastructure (shops, wind tunnel, super computer) to make a comeback. Now the personnel need a tweak. Paar needs to go. Symonds would be a great addition. Someone like Tony Purnell or David Pitchforth would help, too.

Then there is the classic Catch 22: A team needs a sponsor with deep pockets to win, and a team needs to win to get a sponsor with deep pockets.

[Scott]

Purnell...I had almost forgotten about him.  Absolutely - put him in for Paar!