2017 Williams Martini Racing Team - Mercedes

[LookBackTime]

[Sevach]

http://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/Kvya ... 21648.html

One more candidate... Kvyat.

[kptaylor]

So I guess no Kubica in FP1...

[LookBackTime]

Roberto Chinchero: Williams has already made a decision

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/formula-1/7 ... uz-decyzje

Google translate from Polish:

Controversial news about the fate of Robert Kubica. Roberto Chinchero, an Italian journalist closely associated with the 32-year-old, is of the opinion that Williams has already made a decision on composition for the 2018 season.

On Friday, the German journalists "Auto Motor und Sport," reported that Robert Kubica is still the favorite to take place in the second Williams car in the 2018 season key for the fate of Poles would be off-season tests in Abu Dhabi, where for the first time 32-year-old would have the opportunity Take the wheel of this year's model car team from the Grove. During his last drive Kubica checked the 2014 vehicle.
Conflicting information was provided by Roberto Chinchero, who is closely related to Kubica. Italian journalist "Sky" is of the opinion that Williams has already made a decision on its lineup for the 2018 season. It is due to be announced before the Brazilian Grand Prix race on Interlagos track on 12 November.

In recent days, not only Kubica's name was mentioned in the context of the British team, but also Pascal Wehrlein, Felipe Massa and Paul di Resty. According to Chinchero, Williams ultimately decided between the Polish driver and Massa.

If the Italian journalist's information is confirmed, the Brazilian's request will be met. Massa has been insisting in the interviews that he wants to know Williams' decision before the race. The 36-year-old, if he does not get a new contract, will end his F1 career and would like to have the opportunity to say goodbye to his fans at Interlagos.

[LookBackTime]

[media]https://twitter.com/WilliamsRacing/stat ... 5606059010[/media]

[Manoah2u]

Roberto Chinchero: Williams has already made a decision

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/formula-1/7 ... uz-decyzje

Google translate from Polish:

Controversial news about the fate of Robert Kubica. Roberto Chinchero, an Italian journalist closely associated with the 32-year-old, is of the opinion that Williams has already made a decision on composition for the 2018 season.

On Friday, the German journalists "Auto Motor und Sport," reported that Robert Kubica is still the favorite to take place in the second Williams car in the 2018 season key for the fate of Poles would be off-season tests in Abu Dhabi, where for the first time 32-year-old would have the opportunity Take the wheel of this year's model car team from the Grove. During his last drive Kubica checked the 2014 vehicle.
Conflicting information was provided by Roberto Chinchero, who is closely related to Kubica. Italian journalist "Sky" is of the opinion that Williams has already made a decision on its lineup for the 2018 season. It is due to be announced before the Brazilian Grand Prix race on Interlagos track on 12 November.

In recent days, not only Kubica's name was mentioned in the context of the British team, but also Pascal Wehrlein, Felipe Massa and Paul di Resty. According to Chinchero, Williams ultimately decided between the Polish driver and Massa.

If the Italian journalist's information is confirmed, the Brazilian's request will be met. Massa has been insisting in the interviews that he wants to know Williams' decision before the race. The 36-year-old, if he does not get a new contract, will end his F1 career and would like to have the opportunity to say goodbye to his fans at Interlagos.

If that means they'll actually keep Massa, then this team is gonna deserve sinking all the way back to the back of the field, where they actually came from. I somehow still have a soft spot for this team, but i am not ignorant to the fact for years they've been taking viscious amounts of money from paydrivers (Maldonado, Stroll), got the BEST engine in the field, got the best treatment from that engine manufacturer due to Toto-Susie Wolff and now Paddy Lowe there, yet they keep going to the back and having seriously useless drivers.

[LookBackTime]

My understanding is that they already choose Robert Kubica!
But take that with a grain of salt

[FrukostScones]

yeah, if they retain MAS or hire DIR... they instead just could close the shop.

[Carinni]

yeah, if they retain MAS or hire DIR... they instead just could close the shop.

I think taking MAS is the right decision, he is delivering this season, even Smedley agreed to this view point. But no data about Kubica, dunno whether he is better than MAS. Dunno y so many are so certain that MAS didn’t deliver this season, u can’t compare drivers performance between different teams with different cars. Smedley said at the beginning of the season that MAS is so comfortable with this rule, I think he has the data n the ground to say so,

[Carinni]

yeah, if they retain MAS or hire DIR... they instead just could close the shop.

I think taking MAS is the right decision, he is delivering this season, even Smedley agreed to this view point. But no data about Kubica, dunno whether he is better than MAS. Dunno y so many are so certain that MAS didn’t deliver this season, u can’t compare drivers performance between different teams with different cars. Smedley said at the beginning of the season that MAS is so comfortable with this rule, I think he has the data n the ground to say so,

Actually by raw pace, MAS was never slow. When he was alonso’s team mate, he was usuallty 0.2s adrift after 2010, in a few cases he beat Alonso, but remembered that Ferrari developed the car for Alonso only. What he lost most was nursing the delicate pirelli rubbers during the race day. The current era provides wider front tires to suit his style with much more durable rubbers, so MAS can deliver much better under current rules. I think the weakness of MAS is the adaptability to a car which doesn’t suit his style, once it suits, he is no slower than many top drivers. That’s y he was so willing to retire last year but so much wants to continue now.

[kptaylor]

I read the article as saying Williams will give Massa his wish and release him by Brazil so he can do his farewell walk Part II. That means it's down to Kubica, Di Resta, Wehrlein and now Kyvat. The articles hint at Kubica being the favorite (as they would in Poland) but with the need to prove himself in 2017 machinery in the last test session.

[LookBackTime]

[media]https://twitter.com/NobleF1/status/924668434679549955[/media]

[Manoah2u]

https://twitter.com/NobleF1/status/924668434679549955

Funny when supposedly it's already decided. Which means, it's not.

So untill official confirmation;

- Massa
- Di Resta
- Kubica
- Kvyat
- Palmer
- Wehrlein

6 drivers to concider.

[ringo]

- Massa
- Wehrlein
- Kvyat
- Kubica
- Di Resta

I think seat time means a lot in deciding who to go with. Without bias, drivers with seat time in the 2017 formula will be on top of the list.
Thus massa is top pick, next to wehrlein then Kvyat. The other two are big gambles. I think Kubica is well past it.
There is no reason to suggest he is better today than any of those other drivers. He may only be better than diresta and thats only because diresta doesnt have much driving experience with these new cars.
But if Williams want a serious chance at a top 4 position, they need to pick someone ready to hit the ground running and with enough talent. You don't have to be a Hamilton or Vettel; you just need to be fast and consistent and adaptable.
If they want to dump Massa that leaves Wehrlein and Kvyat as the top two.
Kubica is just nostalgia at this point.

[Raleigh]

This isn't just about 2018, Massa isn't past it yet but realistically how long is he going to keep going? If he doesn't retire now it will be next year.

Kubica is 4 years younger, if he can come back at a competitive level then he'll be around to lead the team forward in the long run.