Button to Williams?

[LUD02C]

Well this time last year, everyone thought Montoya was crazy for his choice to move to McLaren and it has worked out well. Car is perfect,he has had a bad first half of the season but he will shine with the car soon enough.

Which leads me to Jenson Button, contract ends in December with BAR-Honda, but if BAR don't have a certain number of points compared to the team first in the manufactures Jenson could jump ship to BMW by Turkey.

Now, why I posted.
If you were Jenson what would you be thinking with the Williams performance as of late?
Car is really slow, they are unsure on which engine supplier they will be joining in 2006.
Another big thing for Jenson is, who would he rather be his team mate, Mark or Nick?

Interesting situation in my opinion.
If I were Jenson I know I would be speaking to Patrick and Frank about what the hell is going on next year, but also still be talking to BAR as a possibility for an extension in his contract.

Honda do make great V8 race engines, and i'm sure there F1 engine will be just as good as Toyota, Ferrari etc.

What do you think?

[7th Gen]

well yes

now that the BMW Sauber deal has gone thru, expect Heidfeld to jump to Sauber? Hence there is an empty seat at Williams (for Button?)

has Williams confirmed an engine supplier for next year? could get interesting
there was talk before that Toyota would supply engine to Williams?!?!?!?
but i would prefer it if Honda supplied the engine, would make it a bit easier for Button to leave BAR?

then SATO would be the number 1 driver at BAR :D

[LUD02C]

Well then add this to the conversation.
Ferrari are going to supply Red Bull Racing engines for the 2006 season, Red Bull bought rights to change there name to Red Bull Racing - Ferrari or something like that (I'm sure Martin and James spoke about this)

But Red Bull are keeping the Michelins from what I have read, but Williams have spoken to the head of bridgestone racing about getting tyres supplied for the 2006 season, this could be just to keep all options open.

Ferrari could supply Williams with engines and then get them to Bridgestones as well so they get more testing miles done on the tyres.

[tRipitaka]

they should use daewoo engines

[LUD02C]

they should use daewoo engines

General Motors bought Daewoo and thought they could "turn it around" from a company loosing millions to an investment.
It was a flop and production is closed, so General Motors bought 49% in Hyundai.

[nEUROtic]

I think buttons contract lets williams get him if he doesnt have 70% of the points of the leader at the end of the season. So he mighten get a choice....

[LUD02C]

I'm sure he is open market, I'm sure as a F1 driver you can't sign one contract while under another.

Must find this out.

[pornstar]

Jase, the contract bw button and BAR allows an "option" for him to leave to Williams should they fail the quota of 70% of the leaders points by turkey. In all fairness, this is most likely going to be the case, and that Button CAN go to Williams.

If I were him, Id be staying with BAR-Honda. They wanted him from the start, his worked closely with them, so there is no teething year, they have Hondas backing now, and they can only go forward.

Williams without a major engine supplier may be a problem, not because they dont have the technical know how, but the fact that BMW's funding is lost, they will need to purchase engines rather than be supplied with them. So many unknowns with the chance of Heidfeld leaving, that Id rather stay with BAR...

Im biased tho.

[Vivski]

Who knows with all these changes going on. Nothing is certain anymore. As a Honda fan, I'd like him to stay with BAR but as a Webber fan, I'd like to see him at Williams. Webber and Button would be great I reckon, having two top driver (which I consider them to be) in the team would give the team a great incentive to get it all together for Williams to get back in the game.

Forgetting about Button for a while, who would BAR want to have driving for them? Would Sato continue? Who would they want for the spare seat if Button leaves?

[nEUROtic]

I think webber will get the chop, I think he has underperformed. As much as I hate to say it, I don't think he has lived up to his rep. I think williams is gonna kick his ass.

:(

Williams would LOVE button. But as its been said. He would be mad. However I think barichello is looking for a new drive soon. Might be a possibility.

[LUD02C]

Good question Vivski
If Button does go do you make sato your number 1 driver?
He hasn't done much to prove himself compared to Jenson (flame suit on)

Jenson should be and i'm guessing is, thinking about this long and hard.

Edit: After reading nEUROtic's.
If Barrichello goes to BAR-Honda, Jenson to Williams, Nick to BMW, who would take Rubens seat at Ferrari?
Would the relationship between Red Bull and Ferrari allow Luizzi to be the "apprentice" to Michael?
He is an Italian after all.

I would try and get Wurz

[^^v]

Culthard is an option... along with Rubens (considering how he aint enjoying it at Ferrari) but his contracted with them till the end of 06 i think...
cant really think of anyone else... maybe Davidson (3rd driver for bar atm)

[LUD02C]

Coulthard has signed with Red Bull for 2006 hasn't he?
I'm sure of it

[^^v]

he has?
hmm well then im not too sure who else could take Buttons place (if he leaves)... 0_o

wouldnt mind seeing Rubens behind the wheel of a BAR though...

[LUD02C]

I know Red Bull said they want to extend his contract for 2006 and David was happy to do so, if he has signed on the dotted line i'm not sure.

[TwEigh]

lol Rubens and Sato becomes team mate? ahaha
They dont seem to like each other especially after Sato crash his car into Rubens' in nurburgring last year.

Personally i dont like Rubens.. (gah.. i Hate everyone in ferrari team) and Sato contract with BAR Honda ends in the end of 2005, he might get deserted. well no offense to Sato's fans, he is also my favorite driver and i hope his contract to be extended.

About Sauber take over, im curious wat Jacques Villeneuve fate going to be.. after doing so bad so far this year and having Massa (sauber 2nd driver) to surpass his performance.

[Kawasaki]

How long has sato been driving in F1 for?.. hes doing ok but seems to make similar mistakes to webber eg. charging in to overtake etc.

Honda used to supply engines to williams back in the day... soo i kinda see this happening again, just my opinion.

[bigteethygrin]

Sounds like a good season to stay where you are and see how the teams adapt to the new rule changes.

[^^v]

http://formula-1.updatesport.com/news/content/gfxHeadline.php?text=Button+%2706+rumours
'Wait and see' for Jenson
http://formula-1.updatesport.com/newsphotos/june/a/jbut180602.jpg
(GMM) 'Wait and see.'

That's the official line at present on one of the keys to the 2006 F1 driver silly-season.

Jenson Button (http://formula-1.updatesport.com/profiles/item/formula_one/driver/15/Jenson-Button/view.html) recoiled when asked if he's likely to steer a BAR-Honda or a Williams (http://formula-1.updatesport.com/profiles/item/formula_one/team/4/Williams/view.html) next year.

He told newspaper The Guardian: ''I can't discuss anything of a contractual nature.''

25-year-old Button's BAR contract can be quashed if the English driver does not get within 75 per cent of the title leader's tally by August.

It's obvious the clause will not be fulfilled, perhaps compelling him to join Grove, with an unknown engine for 2006.

All Sir Frank would say was: ''I have huge regard for Jenson ... as a driver.

''(But) I'm really not in a position to discuss this.''

It is quietly suggested that a V8 deal with Honda could persuade Williams (http://formula-1.updatesport.com/profiles/item/formula_one/team/4/Williams/view.html) to let Button stay at BAR next season.

Brackley boss Nick Fry bristled at the suggestion.

''The two issues are not related,'' he said. ''Obviously Jenson has to think carefully about what will be best for his ... career.''

source f1 central

[TwEigh]

How long has sato been driving in F1 for?.. hes doing ok but seems to make similar mistakes to webber eg. charging in to overtake etc.

Honda used to supply engines to williams back in the day... soo i kinda see this happening again, just my opinion.


Sato started his F1 career in 2002 with team Jordan. in 2003 he moved to BAR as third driver. but in the last GP of 2003 he replaced Jacques Villeneuve to race in Japan. last year he was very aggresive especially in USA GP. but this year it has been worst..

atm he is the only driver that has not get any point :(

[jackosimm]

LOL to many unconfirmed rumours!!! ahh it hurts my brain. Interesting stuff though, Silly season has begun a little early this year;)

[LUD02C]

Anyone got new F1 mag?
It has all this in it, I bought it today.

Also got another magazine that reckons Massa is going to Ferrari (Massa's manager is Joan Todt son) and Massa did win European Formula 3000 and was a Ferrari test driver in 03 I think.

Williams might be getting an engine from Toyota but badged Lexus (not a bad idea)

Another interesting thing I read was that Fiat owe $4 billion dollars and that the most likely buyer of Ferrari would be:
1/ Bernie Ecclestone
2/ Dietrich Mateschitz

Also, they made a good point about Renualt.
There new cheif Carlos Ghosn is not a fan of motorsport one little bit, he pulled both teams out of the WRC next year and might be doing the same with Renault F1 by 2007.
Even if they do win, just look at WRC for evidence!

[LUD02C]

I am god damm psyhic!

Coulthard to remain at Red Bull next season
It will be David's 13th season in F1
http://f1.racing-live.com/img/l3.gif
http://f1.racing-live.com/img/vide.gif



http://f1.racing-live.com/photos/imgactu/05/coulthard-magny2_010705_220x153.jpg
Coulthard will drive for Red Bull in 2006

Red Bull Racing announced today that David Coulthard has extended his contract and will stay with the team as lead driver for 2006, when he will drive the Ferrari-powered RB2.

The experienced 34-year-old joined Red Bull Racing for the start of the 2005 season and quickly established himself as an integral member of the team. While providing a guiding influence for the team's young drivers, Christian Klien and Tonio Liuzzi, he has enjoyed considerable success on the track, claiming two fourth places and scoring points in six of the ten Grands Prix contested so far. At the 2005 Malaysian Grand Prix, he also secured a place in the history books, when he became the highest ever British F1 points-scorer.

Red Bull Racing Sporting Director, Christian Horner commented, "David has clearly demonstrated that he's still one of the top drivers in F1. He's played a vital part in Red Bull Racing's on track credibility so far this season. It was therefore a very easy and natural decision to extend our agreement for 2006 and retain him as our lead driver."

David Coulthard said, "It's been a very positive new experience working with Red Bull Racing. The potential of the team is obvious and it made perfect sense to continue our partnership. Since I started with the team last December, the progress made has been remarkable. I'm looking forward to contributing to the development of the RB2 with the Ferrari engine and enjoying continued success with Red Bull Racing."

Press release
Red Bull Racing

[Vivski]

So we think it's...

Ferrari: Michael, XXXX
Renault: Alonso, Fisi
McLaren: Raikkonen, Montoya
Williams: Webber, XXXX
Toyota: Trulli, Ralf
RBR-Ferrari: Coulthard, XXXX
BAR-Honda: Sato, XXXX
BMW: Heidfeld, XXXX

Unconfirmed: Massa, Jenson, Villeneuve, Barichello, Wurz, the rest.

[7th Gen]

so webber is not confirmed at williams for next yr?

[LUD02C]

A few race mags has Webber looking at BAR-Honda with Sato?
I can't imagine BAR dropping Sato?

Toyota are happy with Ralf and Trulli so I don't think any changers there, and McLaren aren't releasing Juan or Kimi for good reason.

Alonso is concrete with Renault so is Fisichella from what I understand, Williams have Webber signed for 2006 so I'm guessing he is staying and Nick is going to BMW.

Nick might be partnered with Jacques?
Michael partnered with Massa or Luizzi maybe?
Wurz is looking for a drive, as is Davidson.

I wonder if BAR will do a Red Bull and get 2 drivers and swap them?
Dumb idea to me!

[7th Gen]

i agree - Sato will stay with BAR Honda - too much Asian marketing clout :D

with all the trouble that Juan has had this year, would you think he would move if he was made a good offer? like how he spat the dummy with Williams last year

I agree with Toyota, they need the stability and Trulli has been delivering the goods for them

Does anything think M Schumacher will stay even if he wins or loses the championship this year? or retire or go to mgmt in Ferrari or something?

Jase can you shed any light on the Schu's situation since you are such a Schu fan :D

[LUD02C]

He wants to race on for a while he says!
He has just signed a new 4 year deal with Ferrari (about 3-4 months ago)

[7th Gen]

cool
always good to keep him racing i guess

maybe he will give it up if he is bored, they are not paying enough, or something like a really bad accident happens (touch wood)

out of curiosity, how old is he? must get the shits when all these kids are beating him :D

[LUD02C]

He was born 3rd January 1969