Williams - dark horse and on the rise?

[Dave B]

Why do you say that?

Because he has experience of seeing a team he loves go down the toilet.

[jens]

Depends, what kind of hopes are too high regarding Williams in 2009. Surely a title challenge can't be expected, but a few podiums can be a possibility.

[52Paddy]

Because he has experience of seeing a team he loves go down the toilet.

Which makes sense in regard to the 'painful fall.' But just wondering what he sees lacking in Williams 2009 performance so far. And why he seems to reckon their form will diminish. I, like Jens, don't expect them to challenge for the title. But they look more on form this year than they have in a long time. I don't see how expectations of podiums and maybe a win in the right circumstances is too far-fetched.

Maybe "you lot" refers to "a lot of you."

[ioan]

Why do you say that?

I'm just being realistic, taking into account Williams' recent development pace during the season, their microscopic budget when compared even with Brawn, and the fact that Rosberg only managed to qualify 6th, before Rubens and Sebastian were added their penalties, with a lighter car than the Toyota and the Brawn GP.

[ioan]

Because he has experience of seeing a team he loves go down the toilet.

This is right too. I try hard to keep my expectations as low as possible and usually it helps when the team isn't the best out there.

[UltimateDanGTR]

Fantastic performance by Williams. It was quite incredible to see Rosberg leading a Grand Prix on merit, I would have hardly believed in such scenario before the season. Makes predicting the future quite difficult. And after all, Nico might reconsider his threat to leave Williams, although I still doubt Williams in current state (without manufacturer backing) would really be capable of becoming a genuine title contender. Shame that Nakajima was literally invisible for the whole race - in a car as quick as FW31 surely he should impress more?

He should, I dont think Nakajima is good enough for Williams if im honest. he nhasnt impressed me very much over the time hes been in F1. I think he should (and may if he doesnt improve) be replaced by Bruno Senna before the years out.

[gloomyDAY]

He should, I dont think Nakajima is good enough for Williams if im honest. he nhasnt impressed me very much over the time hes been in F1. I think he should (and may if he doesnt improve) be replaced by Bruno Senna before the years out.

Toyota wouldn't approve of that decision. Nakajima isn't going anywhere!

[Sonic]

Toyota wouldn't approve of that decision. Nakajima isn't going anywhere!

FACT!

As for the rest of the thread; I'm so pleased to see Williams at the front again.

In response to Ioan - it might be short lived (I hope not though) but I'm gonna enjoy it whilst it lasts.

[ChrisS]

Williams seems to be there or there abouts at the start for the past few seasons now but they always fall behind soon afterwards.

I'm hopping that because of the new rules the big teams won't be able to so easily "buy" their way out of trouble and Williams will remain near the front a little longer but I think as it has been the case in resent times Williams will shift its focus on next season's car by mid season and the 2009 car will fall behind.

[wmcot]

You lot are getting your hopes way too high and the fall will be a painful one.

And the summer looks questionable, too!