2019 Williams F1 Team - Mercedes

[Zynerji]

These failures inevitably expose gaps in "leadership". Not defined as "management", but the day- to- day act of leading a team as a cohesive unit towards defined goals.

How, what do you mean?

I fix broken companies for a living. Almost all of them have the same problem, and that is a lack of direct leadership.

Many companies believe that real leadership can be avoided with emails, meetings and conference calls. What they require is that person to be present and to show success by using the processes that they are asking others to follow, and build support structures necessary to optimize the tasks.

I feel that Williams does not employ that type of ground- level leadership, so they lose the synergy and over-achievement that is inherent in that methodology.

[taperoo2k]

These failures inevitably expose gaps in "leadership". Not defined as "management", but the day- to- day act of leading a team as a cohesive unit towards defined goals.

How, what do you mean?

I feel that Williams does not employ that type of ground- level leadership, so they lose the synergy and over-achievement that is inherent in that methodology.

There's a family dynamic at play within Williams, from what was seen in Williams: Formula 1 In the Blood, Claire and her brother had fallen out over who gets to control the team. Who knows if that's been resolved or if it's still festering away damaging the team and preventing it from making necessary changes.

[Zynerji]

I once was brought in to save a failing company. What i found was that the GM was purposefully under achieving in his role to simply force the owner to sell the company to him at a huge discount, believing that he could do things better afterward, then resell at a profit.

It took about 8 hours to figure this out with the available data.

It wouldn't be very difficult to find out if this is the case between the Williams children.

If it's found to be the case, and it's a publicly traded company, people can goto jail for ignoring their legal, fiduciary responsibility (in the US, anyway).

[coaster]

The fact remains that Williams need another promising designer, I not sure what PLowe does in terms of design but there seems to be a pattern of good designers refusing to work with him. Newey? Allison? Smedley?
I will speculate that maybe he compromises the design choices of others, teamwork problems?

Speculation remember.

Edit; zynerji, boardrooms are not my bag, im a machinist.

[Peter1919]

The fact remains that Williams need another promising designer, I not sure what PLowe does in terms of design but there seems to be a pattern of good designers refusing to work with him. Newey? Allison? Smedley?
I will speculate that maybe he compromises the design choices of others, teamwork problems?

Speculation remember.

Smedley is an Engineer not a designer

[Manoah2u]

My personal opinion is the loss of Sam Micheal and Rob Smedley has led to a "brain drain" situation, coupled with their well document wind tunnel correlation problems and sponsor difficulties.

Sam Michael? Maybe I'm missing something but he left Williams for McLaren in 2011, and between 2004 and 2011 Williams were in decline under his technical directorship until.. he left basically. AFAIK he hasn't been active in F1 since 2014. Anyway not to bash Sam Michael there were probably many other factors but I don't see how 2011 is relevant in 2019.

Just to be clear, the idea that Williams had a 'resurgence' in 2014 is completely false.
It was obscured by the fact that they had the Mercedes engine, which was vastly more powerful, faster, reliable and cheaper than the competition. Ferrari wasn't anywhere near Mercedes either and Renault was even much, much worse. This naturally also had a positive effect on team spirit despite that being way low before.
Martini aboard also gave false hope of stability and a prosperous future.
Felipe Massa as a very fast and experienced driver essentially carried the team in that period.

But the truth came floating up soon enough when the competition improved whilst williams stayed feeding off what happened in 2014; delusionally thinking they were back.

Compare it to a building that has foundations rotting, walls crumbling, and the owner thinking that it only needs a lick of paint and that's it. So they give it a lick of paint outside so it looks good - as good as new.
unfortunately, the problem is not resolved: internally, it's still hugely problematic and because the owner is too stubborn to act and believes he is not to blame, the unevitable is going to happen : it's gonna crash hard.
As long as the owner (williams' management) refuses (for whatever reason) to act accordingly (stop the leaks and fix the foundations), no matter how much money you throw at the outside of the building and defend that it's a monument, instead of investing it in the right place, then it's gonna come down.

I think Paddy Lowe would do good by looking for another team. This team is going to damage his resumé. Mclaren or Renault is where he should go. Same for Kubica. I hope he, despite the shape the team is in, manages to show his talent, and find himself a good spot again. And i'd think i'd like to see him @ Renault alongside Ricciardo.

The only correct decision for Williams is to have Frank step down completely from all activities and solely act as an advisor in name but keep away still. Appoint Claire in some sort of function at Williams but not by any means in the F1 team's operations (williams has more then just the f1 team, after all), and appoint somebody capable to run the team. I think Paddy should stay if that would happen. Also, they need to invest into several areas.

They should, whilst reconfiguring, follow Haas' example and buy off-the-shelf Mercedes parts. That guarantees a decent car.

somebody stated latifi's money could be pumped in there, and even if that happens, it would not change the structural damage the team has. it would only be fresh paint on top of a rotting building.

[Zynerji]

Someone should get Lawrence Stroll to spill the Williams beans... He spent the last 2 years screaming at them, so I'm sure he would have a good idea of what is wrong there.

[Brake Horse Power]

I share your feeling from what I have read Zynerji. Concluding that a company is broken can be done quickly, however reinstating a working system in which information is generated, shared and used in a proper and quick way is a mammoth task in an organization with a few 100 people. You would need one director with a clear vision but also some bright work horses who know how to prioritize, focus and make the workload bearable. Once you have all that people will be happy and your moral will fix over time

[marmer]

Someone should get Lawrence Stroll to spill the Williams beans... He spent the last 2 years screaming at them, so I'm sure he would have a good idea of what is wrong there.

Says alot that he would just jump ship and buy another team as clearly Williams wouldn't lesson regardless of his money coming hand over fist to the team.

The comparison with for a India is a very fair comparison both English based teams same engine. One archives much better spending far less and seems far more open to new ideas

[Manoah2u]

Someone should get Lawrence Stroll to spill the Williams beans... He spent the last 2 years screaming at them, so I'm sure he would have a good idea of what is wrong there.

Says alot that he would just jump ship and buy another team as clearly Williams wouldn't lesson regardless of his money coming hand over fist to the team.

The comparison with for a India is a very fair comparison both English based teams same engine. One archives much better spending far less and seems far more open to new ideas

And, at that, whilst confronted and dealing with a whopping load of supposed fraud, arrest warrent for the company's owner Vijay Mallya. I'm not delving into territory of there is any merit to the claims, but the simple fact is, and it's all over the news for years, that India want's Vijay's head. That influences the f1 team without a doubt.
Still, despite that, the team is floroushing for years. It's not in a negative downward spiral at all, it's been going up and up despite having had moments where cash flow was a problem. The team is lightyears away from the back of the field, and continiously is able to attract sponsors. and indeed, have great results, with the tiniest budget.

[Zynerji]

Someone should get Lawrence Stroll to spill the Williams beans... He spent the last 2 years screaming at them, so I'm sure he would have a good idea of what is wrong there.

Says alot that he would just jump ship and buy another team as clearly Williams wouldn't lesson regardless of his money coming hand over fist to the team.

The comparison with for a India is a very fair comparison both English based teams same engine. One archives much better spending far less and seems far more open to new ideas

And, at that, whilst confronted and dealing with a whopping load of supposed fraud, arrest warrent for the company's owner Vijay Mallya. I'm not delving into territory of there is any merit to the claims, but the simple fact is, and it's all over the news for years, that India want's Vijay's head. That influences the f1 team without a doubt.
Still, despite that, the team is floroushing for years. It's not in a negative downward spiral at all, it's been going up and up despite having had moments where cash flow was a problem. The team is lightyears away from the back of the field, and continiously is able to attract sponsors. and indeed, have great results, with the tiniest budget.

I have nothing but respect for that team, and what it accomplishes against all odds.

They have found the Zynergi!

[munudeges]

There's a family dynamic at play within Williams, from what was seen in Williams: Formula 1 In the Blood, Claire and her brother had fallen out over who gets to control the team. Who knows if that's been resolved or if it's still festering away damaging the team and preventing it from making necessary changes.

Blood is thicker than water, and whatever other problems the team has this element is certainly not good.

[coaster]

I too wish them well, every time a team fails the sport suffers as a whole.
The cosworth v8 was the magic dust williams began from, if they could somehow recapture that,,,,

[Manoah2u]

I too wish them well, every time a team fails the sport suffers as a whole.
The cosworth v8 was the magic dust williams began from, if they could somehow recapture that,,,,

they have the best engine in the field in their car. the engine isn't the problem.

[Zynerji]

I share your feeling from what I have read Zynerji. Concluding that a company is broken can be done quickly, however reinstating a working system in which information is generated, shared and used in a proper and quick way is a mammoth task in an organization with a few 100 people. You would need one director with a clear vision but also some bright work horses who know how to prioritize, focus and make the workload bearable. Once you have all that people will be happy and your moral will fix over time

This is literally how i personally feed my children. It is difficult, and requires relentless determination, but far from impossible.