Mark Webber Thread

[Nizman]

I've read two teams Williams and Toyota are seeking Mark's services in '05.

anyone else?

[Roy]

Flavio Briatore (spelling?) controls Webers driving contract, and happens to manage Renaults F1 team.

But in order to get aride at Renault Trulli or Alonso need to get the boot, and considering their performances of late, especially Trulli who received a warning to lift his game...it doesnt appear likely.

I dont think Weber is much of a chance of going to Toyota, my thoughts, Briator needs to do something to ensure his driver, Weber fetches the money he is worth, another season in an uncompetitive car like Toyota may mean that Webers demand falls as other drivers appear and become available.

I read that Jacques Villuneuve may be back in the picture at Williams if RS leaves.... i think JV would make for a better teammate then RS, and i dotn think JV would be looking for big money...and is probably keen to prove he can still win races....

Who knows... but i hope its Williams or Renault, not Jaguar or Toyota.

[Silver-Arrowz]

Ralf isn't going to drive for Williams in 05.

Odds are Webber will go to Williams. His contract has a clause where by the USGP, if the Jag isn't competative he can look for another drive. He needs to win the USGP to remain a Jag man in 05.

[acidballs]

My thoughts exactly Silver.

[Snowman]

I dont see a return to Williams by Jacques Villuneuve but instead see both Mark Webber and Anthony Davidson driving for Williams next year. Davidson's times in the Friday practice sessions have been super impressive so he would make an interesting partner for Webber at Williams.

Although a new twist came up the other day in that apparently Ferrari recently made enquires into Mark Webbers contract. I personally expect Ferrari to replace RB one year out from when MS plans to retire with someone they think they can groom to be the next world champ. I'd prefer to see Webber in a Williams to see if he's more than just a driver and whether given the resources can help develop a team, but putting him in a red machine next to Michael would be interesting for a year.

[Silver-Arrowz]

It would be an absolute dream if Webber get to drive for the scarlet red car! Learn from the master himself but I'd hate it if Ferrari don't allow him to race against Schuey.

[Duncan]

mmm, I thought Ferrari had been pretty clear that they wanted Alonso when MS goes?

It would be a very sad state of affairs in JV came back to drive for williams, I just don't see that happening....I think Williams are just trying to beat down Weber's price. And it would be good to see Anthony Davidson step up he has been testing there and doing well for a while.

BTW how well has Flavio Briatore (renault boss) done with spotting young drivers! He should be able to fund the renault team for years just by selling Alonso and Weber's contracts to another team

[Nizman]

BTW how well has Flavio Briatore (renault boss) done with spotting young drivers!  He should be able to fund the renault team for years just by selling Alonso and Weber's contracts to another team

ucking oath mate, he certainlly will.

His contract has a clause where by the USGP, if the Jag isn't competative he can look for another drive.

I woke up at 2:45 Monday morning and watched the USGP live, I have no problem at all doing this even with working that day, as long as I get to see my beloved F1. (No comments on the features of VCR's pls :Oops: ) But at 4:25am with 6 or sumfing laps to go, the Costworth lets go again and Marko gets another DNF while in a point paying position. So I guess one thing is for sure out of all this Mark WILL goto another team.

[Snowman]

I've actually just read that the performance clause in Webbers contract is that Jaguar have to be in the top 6 by the end of the Hungarian GP. So what that basically means is that they have to score at least 13 MORE points than Sauber (and 6 more points than Toyota) in the next 4 races.

I can't see that happening. So if its the case and come the end of the Hungarian GP Webber can start to actively seek a new contract. AND if Williams are in no position to challenge for any of the championships as I expect, I wonder if there's any possibility that Montoya might get the boot before the end of the season and we'll see Webber drive the last few races for the BMW team? I'm thinking there's as little chance of that happening as Minardi taking Pole anytime soon but it might provide the only form of interest for the last few races of this season!

[Silver-Arrowz]

I don't see Jaguar beating Sauber. The Cosworth motor is proving very unreliable and we all know that the Sauber/Ferrari motor is reliable.

I just hope that the FW27 is better than the current FW26. I think I read somewhere that the FW26 has had no major developments since Maylasia. And that the same flaws in the FW26 are similar to the flaws of the FW25. Possible shake up at Williams???

[Roy]

An Aussie has just replaced Patrck Head as lead Engineer at Williams, so chnage is happening... whether it will mean results thsi year or next year who knows.

LOL im th eonly one that wants to see JV make a return.

My only concern with Weber going to Williams is who the other driver will be? If it aint JV then i would love it to be David Coulthard, both pics are fanciful, actually im more likely to get a drive, but i can always dream.

Seriously i think RS is a chance at staying at Williams, and woudlnt be a good teammate for Weber, and Williams have already said no to Scott Dixon as they want soemone with F1 experience... Alex Davison is a chance i suppose...who is the Williams test driver, wasnt it Zonta last year?

[Silver-Arrowz]

Williams test drivers are Gene and Pizzona. Last year when Gene replaced Ralf he was pretty quick. Pizonna... well we all know him for all the wrong reasons.

Not sure if RS is staying cause I read somewhere that Frank Williams doesn't want him anymore. Frank is known to be tight with his wallet and Ralf would have to take a significant pay cut. He's not delivering what Frank thought he could.

[Duncan]

I'm willing to bet that Ralph has already signed with toyota, they are the only ones with a budget and something to prove.

williams have a history of racing up and coming drivers, not brothers who haven't shown their worth. Toyota have a big budget and need the best driver money can buy. Webber can't afford to risk his career on toyota but ralph may not have other options....

Dunno who the williams co-driver will be and I bet they are concerned too....maybe gene is in with a chance at last.

[Roy]

Isnt Fisichella's contract with Sauber up at the end of the year, he has had wraps on him in the past and is doing well in the championship (1 point behind RS). Wasnt Williams even looking at him before the Zanardi days?

As for RS leaving Williams, he would have to have rocks in his head, though his conduct and public comments about the team, well Williams doesnt suffer F1 egos, so most likely will egt the chop even if he does drop his asking price. Id be surprised if Toyota have bought him in light of his attitude and team disrupting antics, Toyota would surely have recognised it needs a driver to help build a team, not divide it.

Thinking about it, if Williams get Weber in the team (will have had 3 years F1 expereince), then i think Williams is more a chance of looking outside the current F1 crop of drivers, though the press has you believe that Williams have ruled this out

[Silver-Arrowz]

I doubt Fisi is going to Williams. It's known he's waiting for Schuey or Barachello to leave. Any Italian would relish the opportunity to drive a Ferrari. If Williams did sign him up it would be only a year contract.

Yeah Ralf isn't too good with PR for the team.

[Roy]

What will be interesting when MS retires is what will happen to Jean Todt, Ross Brawn and the other engineers that had followed MS to the Ferraris. They may be ready for a new challenge, and accept the $$$ offered by some other teams.

[Snowman]

Not a lot thats news but Mark Webber whom I've always thought as being a bit too straight and boring personality wise has started to amuze me. Like his metaphor on him chosing a new team:

"At the end of the day, though, if you've got three or four supermodels lined up, you've got to make the choice. It's got to be the one with the best package but still looks good when she gets older. "

More from it here: http://www.foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8...3-23770,00.html

It's really the first time I've heard him say that he wants out of Jaguar. We all knew it but he's always been so diplomatic about his contract with Jaguar etc. Another point of interest coming up is that traditionally Renault have used their home Grand Prix at Mangy Cours to announce their following years driver line-up. Could be one less piece of the puzzle taken out this weekend if as I expect they plan to keep their current driver line-up.

[Duncan]

well Jag's been a great step in his career....at least there he has been paid for his work instead of having to buy a drive...there's no way his backers would have paid for another 2 years at minardi or jordan etc.

But.....goes to show I've got the wrong life....gotta love someone who can make an analogy from super models

[Silver-Arrowz]

Great analogy there!

Check this out

http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlines/new...629091732.shtml

Someone wants Webber bad.

And then there's this

http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlines/new...630090551.shtml

"I wish it was Budapest now"

Ouch! Jag's gotta hurt from that comment.

[Roy]

Forget what Patrick Head wants, I want David Coulthard to have a drive next year

Coulthard has already said he would only consider an offer from a top team.... so looks like i will have to find someone else to follow next seaswon :Oops:

It will be interesting if they throw Pizzonia in the 2nd car with RS injured or Gene. Apparently they are more impressed with Pizzonia to date, so have to wait and see this weekend.

Oh did you read in Auto Action that Brock is being considered for a seat at Bathurst with HRT or Kmart....sheesh the content of that mag may lack credibility