Nah it's what the other Williams driver will be be racing next year so Lance can get within a second of them.
Someone had a sense of humour when Lawrence Stroll threatened to withdraw funding unless Massa's replacement was handicapped this year
Kubic looks to be out of the running for Williams seat as does do resta. http://www.planetf1.com/news/kubica-out-of-contention-for-williams-seat-report/ Kinda disappointed considering those still left in the running. Williams deserve to be a back marker if true
If Williams genuinely go for a Stroll/Sirotkin line-up, they deserve all the pain they get in 2018. Utterly and without doubt the worst pairing in recent memory imo.
Not really surprised to see Kubica out of the running - it might be a nice thing to see him back in a car, but it was always a bit fanciful IMO. Just how badly off are Williams? They have Stroll's money but the still need substantial sponsorship from their other driver, be it Kvyat or Sirotkin. I imagine they'll keep Di Resta as reserve to fulfil their Martini sponsorship requirements.
By the ass whipping FI and Renault gave them this season in terms of development pace it could be parts not working but by these moves they could be strangled for cash. Strolls poor performances early in the season when the car was performing probably hurt them very badly. I also wonder How the parent company is doing these days apart from making FE batteries the last few years? If Sirotkin is in the picture then Wherlin should also be in the running assuming Merc rate him and that they are willing to cut engine bills.
While several poor seasons haven't helped their budget, iirc in F1 terms they're not actually that skint. Which makes their seeming inability to do anything with it all the more aggrovating. IIRC outside the top 3, Williams spend the most.
I don’t think it helps with Stroll not exactly coming across as a development driver, without in season testing there is a heavy reliance on the race day drivers to feedback upgrades and changes.
Williams have been right down there with Sauber in terms of in-season development for a number of years now... Probably gave up after Maldonado smashed up every new bit they flew out. But yeah, considering the cash from papa Stroll and Martini, combined with the best engine on the grid, Williams results this year have been awful - I don't expect that to change next year. McLaren with a Renault engine VS RBR is going to be the exciting one, doubly so if the works Renault team can make as big a jump as they did this year (now they have 2 proper drivers - lol burn).
http://www.planetf1.com/news/marchionne-downplays-sassis-ferrari-exit/ There seems to be a pattern with Ferrari's senior design staff, get hired, get impossible target set, get fired, get on phone to Toto Wolff. So the guy responsible for the massive improvement in Ferrari's F1 engine has just taken all of his know how and all of their secrets to Mercedes because Marchionne tore up his contract to make yet another example. Good work Sergio.
Well Mariachi is hardly going to fire himself... ...can probably state with reasonable confidence Arrivabenne may not survive the year too.
I reckon that Allison will have his eyes on Simone Resta and Enrico Cardile, Merc will want the secret of the Ferrari's low speed grip so they'll be sending Sergio rude texts in March.
He truly is a shite CEO for a racing team - looking forward to seeing the Limping Horse for the next season or two, and the exit of Arrivabene, and all the while Marchionne will be telling the drivers that they're not doing a good enough job. It's like the equivalent of Newcastle United - massive following but consistently underperforming, mainly due to shite decisions in the board room.
Nah Newcastle is more Williams/FIndia, they'll never be anthing more than a midfield team as the management won;t spend the money required to be a top team. Ferrari are more Liverpool or similar... Sure they won stuff in the past, but times have changed and no matter how much money they throw at it they still come behind the other top teams...
I'd say Chelsea's the best comparison, massive spending, massive talent, occasional success all undermined by a tyrannical owner who expect results instantly and has no understanding or tolerance of setbacks, even (or especially) when they happen in the midst of an upward trend. Of course Ferrari haven't quite beaten Chelsea's run of twelve managers in ten years, but then in F1 there are some many more people to chose from.
I'm making a prediction! Williams are going to finish this season DFL or one place above. Sauber have 2018 engines, Charles Leclerc and a big wadge of Fiat cash. Toro Rosso have Hartley and Gasly, when the Honda engine works they'll get points. Force India, Red Bull, Renault and McRenault will leave Williams in their dust. Sirotkin is the guy Renault didn't think was good enough to replace Palmer and he's partnered with Stroll.
