Comments on: Nakajima stays at Williams for 2009

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:18:52 +0000

James – I think it’s partly because Williams were quite adamant about not taking pay-drivers in the past. The great irony about Kazuki Nakajima racing for the team this year is that 20 years ago Frank Williams refused to have his father in the team, which thier engine supplier Honda demanded. Williams lost their Honda engine supply partly as a result. Today they’re much more vulnerable and having the younger Nakajima in the team is essential to preserve their Toyota engine supply.

By: James

James — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:12:21 +0000

Some of the comments surprise me. Williams are more or less where you’d expect them to be – their budget isn’t that big, they do not have works support anymore, and I would say that they are actually punching above their weight.

As for their financial health, nobody does frugality like Frank. I think because of their money discipline, they will be very well placed in the coming months, because we will surely see some belt-tightening at the top teams.

By: Bruce Gigolo

Bruce Gigolo — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:47:57 +0000

More free engine for Williams.

By: Chaz

Chaz — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:21:22 +0000

No surprise there then. It was a no brainer he is staying on. Kazuki and Toyota are Japanese.

I’ve read many comments in the past that the only reason we see Japanese drivers in F1 is because the Japanese are enthusiastic F1 fans and big car manufacturers with lots of money money money. Therefore sadly Kazuki’s skill or more specifically lack of it, does not play as high a role in Williams decision to keep him on but rather the money he brings especially with the credit crunch threatening teams finances.

By: Journeyer

Journeyer — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:29:54 +0000

‘Williams have nothing to lose by thinking out of the box.’

Losing Nakajima would’ve meant losing their free Toyota engines, and paying for new ones means losing money. And if Hulkenberg was a flop, Williams would close shop. Besides, Nakajima has done relatively well by scoring consistently in a crappy car – something Nico hasn’t done in spite of his 2 podiums.

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:01:54 +0000

To be perfectly honest, Williams have had a shocking 2008 considering their previous successes. The only way to get out of the hole they are in requires innovative thinking. Keeping Nakajima doesn’t show that, as he’s consistently proven that he isn’t good enough. I’d have rather seen them take a chance with someone like Hulkenburg, who I think would be an inspired choice. Williams have nothing to lose by thinking out of the box.

By: Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:12:22 +0000

Williams seem to be clinging by their fingernails. Aging ownership, poor leadership, average drivers and not great results. Not to mention multi-million dollar losses over the last two years. No wonder they fought so hard against customer cars. Their one hope is to take advantage of the new rules next year, but even with that, they’ll be swamped by the pace of development of the other teams.

By: Lustigson

Lustigson — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:08:19 +0000

I think retaining Rosberg and Nakajima is a good thing. The same drivers plus the same car-engine package for the third year running (OK, second in Kazuki’s case) is a solid base for the new season. With less emphasis on aerodynamics, Williams could make a genuine push forward, ’cause aero hasn’t been their thing ever since Adrian Newey left the team.

By: Romain from Grenoble

Romain from Grenoble — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:50:19 +0000

Hello,
Don’t you think next year could be Williams big chance? I’m very much looking forward to the new technology introduced next year, especially since I understand Williams chose a very original path for their Kers development, with flywheel technology : http://www.williamsf1.com/feature/view/487 . It seems totally different to the choice every other team has made (the other choice being I think battery). Anyway, next year technology development will be very interesting to watch, and if flywheel is indeed more efficient than batteries, Williams may be very successful next year.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:22:28 +0000

Nothing wrong with Kazuki. He may not yet have the qualifying pace of Rosberg, but he quite often is a match for him come the race. Of all the rookies, he has been very consistent during the races. I also cannot forget, he was one of the few drivers who was able to overtake in Singapore, and he did it twice.