Williams short fall - 10-Tenths Motorsport Forum

Mark Webber · 12 Jan 2006, 23:42

I found last year that Williams was the team out of the top five "Big " teams at did the least amount of K's in testing and on race weekends ie friday running and pract.

I feel this may be a large factor in the backwards decline of the team in overcoming there shortfalls. I hope the breath of freash air blowing through the team will hope see this have Wurz on deck will assit this

but have a look and testing the other big teams have 3 cars running full time and big laps most of the time where Williams only have two car and much smaller track time

thoughts?

lookleft · 13 Jan 2006, 05:08

Two things to consider.

1. Last year Williams got the raw deal from the man Friday arrangements. They were clearly the slowest of the top 5 teams and had to keep miles off the BMW's. OTOH McLaren, with the fastest car, were able to roar one car around all Friday and get the miles done. Go back 2 years - how did BAR go the year they had the third car? And last year? I think the advantage of the third car is played down by those that have it and those that don't for entirely different reasons. I expect it will give Williams a significant boost next year. BAR will also enjoy the extra running.

2. The internal issues affecting Williams last year are now becoming evident. At season start the car was average, by season end the BMW was holding them back. A bad season with no wins.

As for testing .... well, most of the "big teams" are still running V10minus2 engines.... with various excuses. Williams are running 2 v8's.

KE30MAN · 13 Jan 2006, 05:30

Latest times show reasonable speed. I think Williams will be up to fourth in the Constructors.

Mark Webber · 13 Jan 2006, 07:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookleft

As for testing .... well, most of the "big teams" are still running V10minus2 engines.... with various excuses. Williams are running 2 v8's.

I think you missed my point .

Not just in this new car / old car peroid but if you go back over last year where teams like BAR.Toyota.Mac and Ferrari all ran a min of 3 car in testing session where Williams never run more than 2

esorniloc · 13 Jan 2006, 22:10

At the beginning of 2005, Williams had just built a new Wind Tunnel, but had problems getting it to work. The lack of Wind Tunnel time hurt the development early in the year and with the FW27 they never made it up.

Sodemo · 13 Jan 2006, 22:34

Williams are in for a tough season methinks.

Bless em, I love Williams and I have always been a fan since the Mansell days, the last team that are true "racers" at heart.

However, I cannot see how Cosworth can have the resources to battle against the conglomorates of Ferrari / Mercedes / Renault etc.

BootsOntheSide · 13 Jan 2006, 22:51

In the shrot term they will be okay, as they seem to have a good engine immediately, but their main hope is for manufacturers to start scaling back their investment and support for F1 - Renault could feasibly go for 2008. Without a car company behind you, funding and R&D can be limited.

OZ_HCR32 · 14 Jan 2006, 10:05

I sit back and look at what powered RBR last season. They were good things, i dont see any reason why the Cossie V8 wont be a good thing...it may not be the best engine, but i doubt it will be far off

maltafan · 14 Jan 2006, 13:10

I think the break up with BMW was the biggest factor, however, running the 3rd car on Firdays surely helps for testing purposes. Also, Pizzonia had not been testing for at least 2 months, before being called up to replace NH after his injury.

This yesr should be different I think. The Cosworths have a vast experience with V8's and they are already using it dduring testing. Also, they will be able to run an experienced test driver on Fridays. And if Rosberg has the technical knowledge, that they are saying he has, he will surely give a great helping hand to increase performance.

Sodemo · 15 Jan 2006, 00:57

Has anyone offered any reason as to why Rosberg was so far off the pace during his tests a few weeks ago?

mooneyda · 15 Jan 2006, 16:31

I think Williams will improve and rapidly this season.

Cosworth will shock others with the performance of their new V8. have it on good terms taht alot of power is been held back at the moment to ensure better reliability when race time comes. ie; concentrating on seperate components and improving singly.
The sum of the parts will benefit by this development and testing regime overall.

The aero is not as strong as the top teams of course, but develpoing nicely.

Alot of tyre work ongoing at the moment which seems to be the priority of the team at the moment.

They have a programme and are sticking to this religiously so don't be alarmed!! It's not about test times NOW!!

Race week-end is where its at and you WILL be shocked!!!