GPWizard F1 Forum
F1 News & Discussions => F1 Teams => Topic started by: Wizzo on September 14, 2006, 10:10:58 PM
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Former champions Williams believe they can reclaim their place among Formula One's elite despite what founder Frank Williams calls an "unblinkingly shocking" season.
The British-based team, whose last title came with Canadian Jacques Villeneuve in 1997, have not scored a point in their last 10 races - their worst run of form in 30 years.
After Australian Mark Webber and Germany rookie Nico Rosberg again drew blanks in last weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Williams are languishing eighth of the 11 teams in the championship.
"It's the worst we've been since ... (co-founder) Patrick (Head) and I started in 1977," Williams told reporters recently.
"The lowest we've ever been since 1977 I'm pretty certain is fifth so eighth is just unblinkingly, humiliatingly shocking."
"It is much more difficult now, I'm not crying on this, we want to beat the guys and we can - but there is some very good opposition and it knows what its doing, there are six manufacturers.
"That's the mountain to climb for us, but it can be done."
Williams, nine times constructors' champions since 1980, have not won a race since Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya in Brazil at the end of 2004. Although they ended the 1978 season ninth, they did not go so many races without scoring. Only the top six got points in those days.
The team have been using Cosworth V8 engines this season after the split with BMW last year but have signed a deal with Toyota for 2007.
While the team have not been uncompetitive in terms of speed, with both drivers qualifying in the top 10, they have been let down by a lack of reliability.
"Clearly our product is the problem and we have a pretty straightforward idea of what we must do," said Williams.
"I can't talk about what we're going to do but we just know what we need to do to make a faster car.
"Some of the reasons why we have failed in races is lack of adherence to correct internal process.
"No one's left anything undone, that I'm aware of."
Webber will move on next year, after signing for Red Bull, and Williams will have Rosberg partnered by Austrian veteran Alexander Wurz.
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Well, I will post here as a Williams fan first (and McLaren fan close 2nd). They seem to have regained some form this season even if in the last few races that pace has vanished and they're getting lost in the depths of midfield again. I think Wurz is the main problem area this year though (despite his fantastic podium) as he desperately needs to get to grips with qualifying.
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Memo to Sir Frank:
Find the phone numbers you have in Cologne and Toyota City. Tear them up. I know some people in Northampton who have just what you need. I think you still might have their number from last year.
Best Rregards,
Cos
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Hmmm, not sure that would help, Coz. Better not to mention last year to Sir Frank... :stop:
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The Toyota power is fine for the team, and I think in at least one race we recorded the fastest speed. The main problem is in aero efficiency and downforce, which can only come with extra funding. To be honest I think how Williams are doing this season is probably exactly where they wanted to be, scoring points and getting one or hopefully two podiums.
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They have performed beyond expectations this season but have also had some rotten luck.
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In terms of our expectations they have done much better than expected, but I reckon the team themselves would have been hoping for this. But yes, luck hasn't been with Williams too much which is unfortunate, and unlike last year it hasn't always been because the car has been made of paper.