What next for Williams?

[TheHemps]

With Chavez gone, will the new guy keep bankrolling Maldonado? He's worth $30million a year to Williams.

 

[Kevin McDonald]

I think this puts pressure on Maldonado as Williams have probably received 2013's funding but he will need to show that he is good enough to be kept in F1 on talent alone.

 

[Hampus Andersson]

I´m not sure but i think his win has sort of legitimized him as a certified F1 driver.
I bet Frank Williams has him close to heart as well considering he took Williams first win for many years.

 

[Kevin McDonald]

I´m not sure but i think his win has sort of legitimized him as a certified F1 driver.
I bet Frank Williams has him close to heart as well considering he took Williams first win for many years.

Though I'm not sure Frank was impressed by him losing more than a race win-worth of points due to crashes.

 

[TheHemps]

It's no secret Williams have been struggling to find sponsors after RBS went down the pan. I think this will be a massive hit to them. And if Maldonado has legitimized himself as an F1 driver, then it'll cost to keep him with no sponsorship.

 

[Kevin McDonald]

If Maldonado does lose his sponsorship I could see Williams falling back and becoming back-markers, I don't think anybody would want to see that.

 

[TheHemps]

That's what I'm worried about. If they can't replace the sponsorship they'll really struggle.

 

[Kevin McDonald]

Well, they could go for for Kartikeyan

 

[TheHemps]

You say that us a joke, but.......

 

[Kevin McDonald]

Yes, it would be a real shame for the sport if they were to fall back but at least they have the best part of a year to find a big sponsor.

 

[Markus Neumann]

Apparently they have a five-year contract with Venezuela which is "watertight" and not dependent on Chavez being alive. (Source: http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/...-maldonado-trauert-mit-venezuela-6742029.html (German))

Though I'm not sure Frank was impressed by him losing more than a race win-worth of points due to crashes.

Money you are guaranteed to get is always better than money you might win.

 

[ENDR]

It's been a baaad couple of days for Williams...
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2013/03/williams-in-mourning-as-founders-wife-dies/

 

[xkorganx]

ENDR

New

It's been a baaad couple of days for Williams...​

Just read that story myself. What a bad time for the William's gang.​