Senna has signed for Williams

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Originally Posted by Koz

Wouldn't it be better to have drivers who have done a few seasons compared to someone who has not yet done one full season? (The GP2 experience of HRT does not count)
Especially when their other driver has also done only one season.

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Mmmmmmm...Well as someone who values experienced drivers (as opposed to teams rushing to sign the 'next young hotshot') you may think I'd support Barrichello's claim to the seat but he's been with the team for 2 years now and has made no noticeable impact in terms of moving them forward, nor has his experience been seen to be invaluable.

Maybe with the Renault engine and a new design team Rubens might have made his experience pay at Williams but he was never going to be in the seat long term. Bruno has experience with the Renault engine and has worked with a number of F1 teams (don't forget he was considered by Honda before they pulled out) so after his bumpy F1 apprenticeship he's ready for this kind of opportunity. If he takes it, and Williams produce a better car than they have in recent years, Senna could be at an improving Williams for some time to come.

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Originally Posted by ArrowsFA1

Would they be at Ferrari if he were not? He has not directly brought the money to the team himself, but the money is with the team because he's racing for them.

Does that make him a pay driver? It's a fine definition to make because either way a sponsor is paying Ferrari and Williams money in return for having a certain driver in place.

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The Santander deal was official before Alonso's - read into that what you will.

ING suddenly left Renualt 2009, Santander could have sponsored Alonso for the remainder of that season but didn't.

Pay driver is a tricky concept if you think hard enough, more than just F1 rejects. Marlboro had a say in McLaren's driver line up; Senna took Honda to McLaren and with allegations of deference to Senna it ensured McLaren had a future.

So it might be argued that Senna, Schumacher and Alonso are among 'pay drivers' :p

(Incidentally did Alonso bring money to Minardi or was he bankrolled by Briatore?)

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Originally Posted by Koz

Where exactly is your reasoned debate?
You posted something, I responded to it in a civilised manner. You didn't like it and resorted to sarcasm.

Now, you decided to tell me that you are some guy who has worked in motorsport "for many years" and we must bow down to your eternal wisdom because you say so?
Let me guess, asking you for proof will lead nowhere, am I right?

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What proof would you like exactly?

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Originally Posted by shazbot

What proof would you like exactly?

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Never mind...let's move on thank you !

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Originally Posted by shazbot

What proof would you like exactly?

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Whatever proof you are willing to provide.

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Originally Posted by zako85

It seems like they were interested in hiring Kimi Raikkonen. I am sure they would have considered someone like Webber or Massa, if only those or similar drivers were interested in moving to a team two tiers below their current team.

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They were interested in Räikkönen only if they could lure Qatari sponsorship with it. I don't think they would have hired Webber or Massa without sponsorship support. I mean Barrichello is basically a driver in the same caliber as them, he even allegedly found 5M $, but it wasn't enough. As sad/tough as it is, but Williams needs any additional cash they can get right now.

I have to agree that the solution of Maldonado-Senna isn't that bad considering the circumstances and the "need" for money. But it also signals that there is not much reason to believe in brighter future if the team is in such desperate shape that they need to count every penny. Design team has of course changed, but there is no guarantee the new team is better and Coughlan has been out of F1 for 4 years already.

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Originally Posted by pino

Never mind...let's move on thank you !

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Pino has spoken :)

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Originally Posted by jens

I have to agree that the solution of Maldonado-Senna isn't that bad considering the circumstances and the "need" for money. But it also signals that there is not much reason to believe in brighter future if the team is in such desperate shape that they need to count every penny.

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As Dave pointed out earlier Williams have always made an operating profit. WGPE were formed in 1977 and you only need to look at the number of teams that have failed in that time, and those who have survived, to realise what an achievement that is, never mind the success they've had.

Still, that success was some time ago but it's not Ferrari drought proportions!! That lasted 21yrs (between WDCs) so 2018 will be a key year for Williams ;)

If Rubens was a mountaineer, he would be just coming into his prime at 39 years old.

But, Rubens is a racing driver and race driving is a young mans sport.