prediction...Button and Honda to Williams next year

naughtymutt · 9 Jul 2005, 18:57 (Ref:1351264)

just a thought i had today.

pD F1 · 9 Jul 2005, 19:00 (Ref:1351268)

Quote:

Originally Posted by naughtymutt

just a thought i had today.

I'm not speculating yet, its certainly a possibility, but, I'm not certain where he will be next year yet, likely to be Williams I suppose.

BootsOntheSide · 9 Jul 2005, 19:04 (Ref:1351272)

There's already a thread for thoughts as to whether Honda will be with Williams next year. If Jenson goes to Williams (and Bernie believes he will, according to reports today), it will be because he contractually has to, not as part of any Honda deal - why would they dump their most marketable asset with their second-string team>

naughtymutt · 9 Jul 2005, 19:12 (Ref:1351277)

cause the second string team has results on the board.

Dutton · 9 Jul 2005, 19:13 (Ref:1351278)

I thought it had been generally accepted that Jenson had to go to Williams if he didn't achieve at least 70% of the WDC leader's points haul come Round 9 (or something) of the championship?

Or did that never move beyond the arena of Certainty in Ambiguity? I guess anything involving contracts can't.

bosch! · 9 Jul 2005, 20:13 (Ref:1351294)

Well according to the latest silly season rumours JB is heading for RED! So will that give us a Williams-Ferrari? No I dont think so either on either count.

**touringlegend** · 9 Jul 2005, 21:11 (Ref:1351319)

I think out of all the rumours I'd put my money a Button - Williams Honda link up as the most likely.

Silk Cut Jaguar · 9 Jul 2005, 21:19 (Ref:1351324)

It makes sense for Honda, they obviously hold Button in high regard and it helps he's extremely marketable. If they're going to lose him it softens the blow if he still has 'Honda' on the overalls.

**Born Racer** · 9 Jul 2005, 21:42 (Ref:1351340)

Quote:

I thought it had been generally accepted that Jenson had to go to Williams if he didn't achieve at least 70% of the WDC leader's points haul come Round 9 (or something) of the championship?

Williams have first "right of refusal" on him is what I think the situation is. So that means Williams have first say on if they want him or not. It doesn't mean they will necessarily take him on, but that they will have first right on his services.

I keep hearing rumours on here about BMW taking Heidfeld with them to their new team (BMW engineers rate him highly it seems). It was even mentioned on the ITV commentary today but I don't know if there is necessarily any substance to this.

Massa is not under to contract to Sauber/BMW next year I think. Villeneuve is, but it was thought earlier in the year that he may well be bought out of this contract. He is improving his performances now though, so he may well be there next year. From what he's saying and his improvements in driving it certainly seems that Villeneuve wants to be.

MichaelH · 9 Jul 2005, 22:44 (Ref:1351387)

would personally bet my life savings on Jenson in a Williams-Honda in 2006.

richard_sykes · 9 Jul 2005, 23:20 (Ref:1351415)

Where does that leave BAR?

**touringlegend** · 9 Jul 2005, 23:26 (Ref:1351416)

BAR would still have plenty of good drivers to choose from.

naughtymutt · 10 Jul 2005, 06:40 (Ref:1351490)

bar = davidson and sato.

**GTRMagic** · 10 Jul 2005, 10:44 (Ref:1351550)

Why not Karthikeyan/Cosworth/Tata to Williams?

Not Rated · 10 Jul 2005, 20:04 (Ref:1352003)

Today on Speed, Frank Williams told Peter Windsor that they are seriously looking at three options and will make an announcement in 6 to 8 weeks. He also said that it will be a partnership, NOT a customer agreement.

Sodemo · 10 Jul 2005, 20:16 (Ref:1352021)

Would Williams not "sell" Button back to BAR in exchange for Honda engines?

**Stephen Green** · 10 Jul 2005, 21:48 (Ref:1352082)

I was just about to say exactly the same myself. Williams get a 'works' Honda engine deal in return for allowing JB to stay at BAR. Now that is about the most sensible thing for everyone I believe.

Super Tourer · 11 Jul 2005, 08:32 (Ref:1352316)

From a thread I posted back in May.

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69018

The scenario for example.
BMW buys into Sauber, but maintains it's deal with Williams, but, knowing that your old toys are inevitably always cast aside for the new ones, SFW may figure that it's better to get out of the deal rather than face a 'dripping tap' of BMW increasing their commitment to Sauber, relegating Williams to a bit part.

Button, watching from the sidelines can see that Williams are having another slow start to the season and will probably face a reduced 'commitment' from BMW in the short/medium term. Despite the recent debacle, he knows that Honda are commited to BAR (having bought into the team) and will continue to supply 'works' engines and funding.

BAR Honda will want to keep Button and knowing that the performance clause is going against them, decide to cut a favourable deal for engine supply to Williams, in return for tearing up the contract with Button. Possibly with Ant D moving to Williams as part of the deal.

So for 2006 we have.

Williams Honda - Webber and Davidson
Sauber BMW - Heidfeld and A N other - JV/Massa or another BMW contracted driver.
BAR Honda - as per 2005.

It could happen.

Still looks likely to me.

**Stephen Green** · 11 Jul 2005, 08:35 (Ref:1352318)

I agree thats the most likely scenario, all others dont really allow all the parts of the puzzle to fall into place. So, what are next weeks lotto numbers ST

mac · 12 Jul 2005, 02:07 (Ref:1353128)

Unless Williams gets a Lexus engine and Williams Lexus move on happily with Jenson Button as a driver, while BAR search for a replacement.

Hazza · 12 Jul 2005, 05:20 (Ref:1353183)

A couple of my thoughts:

JV still has a contract for next year, what happens if SFW plays it the opposite way and gets out of what ever BMW contract they have but keeps NH?

Grandprix.com (Ie: Joe Saward) are leaning towards the Toyota side of things, which means that chances are that's whats going to happen. Having said that we won't know for sure untill end of the month.

And finally, the other rumour is that for the interm Williams will use Cosworths before getting Toyotas (Depending on whether Jordan resign/pay with Toyota), but even I can tell you the Cosworth is going to be pants next year, where as BMWs won't, for the pure reason that Cosworth don't have the ability to pump out an awsome F1 spec V8 between now and then, the Champcar engine hasn't changed for a couple of years, and their IRL engine is being pantsed by Honda (And to some extent the Penske-Toyota)...

nkfan · 12 Jul 2005, 06:17 (Ref:1353201)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Why not Karthikeyan/Cosworth/Tata to Williams?

Ohh how i wish !!

Hazza · 12 Jul 2005, 08:49 (Ref:1353309)

I just found out while sussing out getting a Autosport subscription that...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autosport

Toyota chiefs have ruled out a supply of customer engines for Williams next year after the Japanese car manufacturer confirmed that it plans to extend its deal with Jordan, Autosport-Atlas can reveal.

www.autosport.com

Sooo...what now then?!

mac · 13 Jul 2005, 00:14 (Ref:1354250)

My guess is Cosworth in '06 and Toyota/Lexus in '07.

BSchneiderFan · 13 Jul 2005, 10:51 (Ref:1354467)

Yet Sir Frank is saying he's looking for a long-term partnership. I don't know why some people think the '06 Cosworth engine is going to be terrible; after all, this year's unit is pretty handy. I think it'll be Williams-Cosworth, on a long-term deal.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Honda wants Button to stay	f1atic	Formula One	45	27 Jul 2005 09:02
Jenson Button to williams 05 / 06 !!	Tim.Lad	Formula One	239	10 Aug 2004 11:31
Jenson Button and Williams f1	nippy	Formula One	57	12 Feb 2004 09:56
Button to Williams in 2005	DavidStHubbins	Formula One	21	22 Jan 2004 08:37
Will Button ever be driving a Williams again?	Yoong Montoya	Formula One	10	8 Jul 2002 21:57