Webber laments stint at Williams

Dixie Flatline · 19 Oct 2006, 12:33 (Ref:1742060)

Quote:

Mark Webber ends his two-year spell with Williams in Brazil this weekend admitting he made a "costly mistake" in joining the team.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/6063626.stm

Telling it like it is, on the eve of his last GP with Williams. Perhaps he should have taken the ride offered by Renault?

Marbot · 19 Oct 2006, 12:41 (Ref:1742067)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dixie Flatline

Perhaps he should have taken the ride offered by Renault?

Err...yes.

I suppose it'll serve him right,if Williams blow everyones doors off next season!

Knowlesy · 19 Oct 2006, 12:49 (Ref:1742074)

Well had he taken the Renault ride he'd have had his doors blown off by the Spaniard fellow. Still, I think it would still have been far better obviously!

Anyways, he has taken Flavio's advice now so he should have a better time.

**Peter Mallett** · 19 Oct 2006, 12:54 (Ref:1742081)

Oh dear,

Frank has been more than apologetic. This seems a bit like sour grapes. Wonder what he'll say if Red Bull doesn't work out?

Chatters · 19 Oct 2006, 13:00 (Ref:1742085)

Quote:

"I think it's fairly safe to say I won't be looking back with any fond memories"

That's for sure!

Marbot · 19 Oct 2006, 13:00 (Ref:1742088)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallet

Wonder what he'll say if Red Bull doesn't work out?

"Err...that was another costly mistake".

**Peter Mallett** · 19 Oct 2006, 13:06 (Ref:1742094)

Well that and "I'm retiring".

**Adam43** · 19 Oct 2006, 13:31 (Ref:1742117)

Is this previously offered Renault seat fact?
For what year?
Why didn't he take it?

**Peter Mallett** · 19 Oct 2006, 13:48 (Ref:1742126)

Good questions Adam.

**Adam43** · 19 Oct 2006, 13:50 (Ref:1742129)

I hope nobody misinterprets them as flame.

**Peter Mallett** · 19 Oct 2006, 13:53 (Ref:1742130)

Yes it could cause ructions.

Alternatively who gives a fig it's only Webber anyway?

Dixie Flatline · 19 Oct 2006, 14:40 (Ref:1742156)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

Is this previously offered Renault seat fact?
For what year?
Why didn't he take it?

Would it not have been for 2005 onwards? IIRC (and it's after midnight here in Australia, so my brain isn't working as well as it normally does), wasn't 2005 Fisico's first season back with Renault?

As for the other questions, I don't have the answers (or even plausible guesses).

**Adam43** · 19 Oct 2006, 14:46 (Ref:1742158)

My thoughts are that the year he left Jaguar is the most plausible. There was some sort of Fisi/Webber/Williams/Renault thing going on, but I thought that Williams wanted Fisi and so did Renault. I am not sure Webber chose.

D.R.T. · 19 Oct 2006, 15:16 (Ref:1742172)

Williams and Webber had dialogue from as far back as the latter half on 03, so I am somewhat doubt that he was second pickings.

As the story went Webber signed with Renault and Fisi with Williams and Flav organised the swap after Webbers desire to join Williams.

In fairness to everyone involved Williams looked a pretty good prospect heading in 05, so I think Webber should not be too hard on himself. Thats the way the cookie crumbles. Look towards 2007 with anticipation not back to 2005/6 with regret.

Marbot · 19 Oct 2006, 15:41 (Ref:1742188)

Well at least this time it doesn't seem like he had much choice (if Renault or whoever were knocking on his door they were using a laytex hand),so they'll be no regrets if it goes belly-up after a couple of seasons.

f1manoz · 19 Oct 2006, 15:54 (Ref:1742203)

The only problem was Williams losing BMW for 2006. If they hadn't, they probably would have remained competitive this season...

Marbot · 19 Oct 2006, 16:17 (Ref:1742226)

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1manoz

The only problem was Williams losing BMW for 2006. If they hadn't, they probably would have remained competitive this season...

Williams have aero problems.Even last seasons BMW V10 wouldn't solve them.

Knowlesy · 19 Oct 2006, 16:29 (Ref:1742235)

That was mainly because last seasons BMW V10 was rubbish.

Yes, the Webber/Renault stuff is all true. And Briatore has been rubbing Marks face in it ever since. Whenever they pass in the paddock, Flavio points to the Williams motorhome and shakes his head with a wry smile!

BootsOntheSide · 19 Oct 2006, 16:39 (Ref:1742252)

I think Fisichella could only leave Sauber for one of Ferrari, Williams and McLaren, so the fact that he originally signed for Williams might be a technicality.

In terms of power and reliability I think the 2005 V10 was prety good. It only slipped back once BMW had committed to focusing on their own team for 2006. And that was at elast partly influenced by Williams' failure to win more than a handful of races with consistantly strong engines. Whether they were dissatistied with Webber as a choice of driver is unknown.

Mark has done pretty well in these 2 years, and it's a shame so many mechanical failures have intervened this year. DC is quite a good yardstick for next year, although most will expect Mark to have the better of a much older driver. He deserves a good year.

**Adam43** · 19 Oct 2006, 17:48 (Ref:1742313)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

I think Fisichella could only leave Sauber for one of Ferrari, Williams and McLaren, so the fact that he originally signed for Williams might be a technicality.

That was it, thank you.
Renault wanted Fisi and Fisi wanted to go to Renault. However his Sauber contract wouldn't allow it. So Williams helped out in return for Webber.

kipper · 19 Oct 2006, 18:06 (Ref:1742331)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Mark has done pretty well in these 2 years, and it's a shame so many mechanical failures have intervened this year.

I think that is a very good point; Williams have been more competitive than their championship position suggests and whilst they would have not been challenging the likes of Ferrari or Renault if it wasn't for unrelaibility, they would have scored some good results.

Knowlesy · 19 Oct 2006, 18:12 (Ref:1742337)

When I was moving house the other week I came across an Autosport from early this season.

The front cover proclaimed: "Why Williams can win in Oz". And Williams had some decent pace to back that claim up, if somewhat flimsily. Their pace in Malaysia and Bahrain was very good!

How weird they should be 8th in the constructors and often highly uncompetitive and unreliable after 17 rounds.

rocketracer · 19 Oct 2006, 22:31 (Ref:1742518)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

In terms of power and reliability I think the 2005 V10 was prety good. It only slipped back once BMW had committed to focusing on their own team for 2006.

the reports we heard here in oz, and implied in the interviews early last year from mark suggested that williams had to run more downforce than everyone else, and so they were down on top speed, even though the BMW was pretty decent...

i must say i have been a little surprised and a little disappointed of the slightly sour tinge on a few of mark's comments of late in reference to williams... It's a worrying sign from a driver when they believe they have been stiffed, as its a sign of that extra edge of enthusiasm has been killed, which isnt any good for ravishing driving desire...

Notso Swift · 19 Oct 2006, 23:33 (Ref:1742556)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

In terms of power and reliability I think the 2005 V10 was prety good. It only slipped back once BMW had committed to focusing on their own team for 2006.

Wasn't that in about April 2005... That is when the first rumblings were heard, and I am sure Mario was working on it before that.

Notso Swift · 19 Oct 2006, 23:45 (Ref:1742561)

Oh and forgot to say that is pretty poor form, IMO, especially before the last race. But typically honest... Frank will probably look back at me and think it wasn't successful either... well duh!

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