Formula 1 2020 - General Discussion Thread (See MOD warning on first post)

Parsnips

WIlliams ??
Wow.. Big news. will there be a new Car Livery introduced after Italy ??

GarIT

Parsnips wrote: »

WIlliams ??
Wow.. Big news. will there be a new Car Livery introduced after Italy ??

Why? It doesn't say Claire or Frank anywhere on the car AFAIK.

GarIT

GarIT wrote: »

Why? It doesn't say Claire or Frank anywhere on the car AFAIK.

Will the team still be called Williams? I hope so.

This is it

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

Will the team still be called Williams? I hope so.

Saw a video of Claire and apparently it will stay as Williams

04581466

flazio wrote: »

The biggest disappointment in all this is that Claire and Frank aren't being allowed to see out the season they started.

When I read that line in the statement where Claire mentioned being appreciative of Dorilton's encouragement to continue I initially thought "Oh that was decent of them", only to next think it was a bit unusual that that line was included at all in her statement. They probably were shown the door alright.

I would give the "Williams" name no more than 4 years. Next year or the year after it will be rebranded "Dorilton* Williams" and after a couple of seasons the "Williams" will be dropped.

*Replace Dorilton with whatever they have already decided to eventually call it.

g1983d

04581466 wrote: »

When I read that line in the statement where Claire mentioned being appreciative of Dorilton's encouragement to continue I initially thought "Oh that was decent of them", only to next think it was a bit unusual that that line was included at all in her statement. They probably were shown the door alright.

I would give the "Williams" name no more than 4 years. Next year or the year after it will be rebranded "Dorilton* Williams" and after a couple of seasons the "Williams" will be dropped.

*Replace Dorilton with whatever they have already decided to eventually call it.

I dunno, i think it will continue like McLaren even though its founded has passed on.
The Williams name will bring money in and if they do it right people will still associate with the name

vectra

g1983d wrote: »

I dunno, i think it will continue like McLaren even though its founded has passed on.
The Williams name will bring money in and if they do it right people will still associate with the name

I'd say it will be dropped, sure how long did it take for the Jordan name to go?

Now is the longest McLaren have gone without some decent success so keeping the name has generally made sense. Along with Brand awareness for cars etc. Williams haven't won anything in a couple of decades and have 0 consumer-facing business.

Top Dog

vectra wrote: »

I'd say it will be dropped, sure how long did it take for the Jordan name to go?

Not to knock their efforts, but just how many races and championships did Jordan win? For how long did they exist? Outside of Ireland there's little passion for the name/brand/history.

They're really not compatible except for the fact that they were privately started. Williams as a name has over 40 years of history, race wins and championships. My money says the name stays, or at most becomes Williams Dorilton Racing or similar.

Infoanon

Strong rumours that Renault are about to announce a rename to Alpine F1

g1983d

vectra wrote: »

I'd say it will be dropped, sure how long did it take for the Jordan name to go?

That was planned though and didn't have the same historical significance

AMKC

Infoanon wrote: »

Strong rumours that Renault are about to announce a rename to Alpine F1

Oh interesting.

As for Williams
It would be crazy if the new owners dropped the name as then they would not be recognised as that team that has won all them championships and has that history. Instead they would be just a new small team with no history behind it. I think they will just rebrand as a poster said above as Williams Dorlington Racing. That would be the best thing for them to do.

04581466

Not sure I subscribe to the idea that the Williams name will bring money; were that the case they wouldn't have had to sell up.

From the perspective of the new owners; the name is just a name really, they will retain it as long as it suits them - and in the short to medium term it will suit them but long term? They won't necessarily take a sentimental view in the long run.

Another factor that I haven't thought of however; are Williams still being paid the £10M per annum heritage payment? If they're going to be paid £10M a year for simply just being Williams then that might keep the name in the sport.

mickdw

04581466 wrote: »

Not sure I subscribe to the idea that the Williams name will bring money; were that the case they wouldn't have had to sell up.

From the perspective of the new owners; the name is just a name really, they will retain it as long as it suits them - and in the short to medium term it will suit them but long term? They won't necessarily take a sentimental view in the long run.

Another factor that I haven't thought of however; are Williams still being paid the £10M per annum heritage payment? If they're going to be paid £10M a year for simply just being Williams then that might keep the name in the sport.

Ya im sure they will need to remain as williams and keep the existing team entry in F1 to retain those payments.

duploelabs

AMKC wrote: »

Oh interesting.

As for Williams
It would be crazy if the new owners dropped the name as then they would not be recognised as that team that has won all them championships and has that history. Instead they would be just a new small team with no history behind it. I think they will just rebrand as a poster said above as Williams Dorlington Racing. That would be the best thing for them to do.

How long did Sauber retain their name for?

Dont be at yourself

Sauber, Jordan, Tyrell, Minardi, Stewart etc are fundamentally different from Williams -- the latter is one of the most successful and storied teams in the history of the sport. Absent a huge title sponsorship/works deal, the new owners are not going to jeopardise that brand, and risk losing its huge fanbase, just to rename it "Dorlington Racing" or similar.

Man with broke phone

Im sure it will some company and williams for example

Sprite Williams Coke Williams or Pepsi Williams

Or whatever the highest bidder is.

Geri Horner Williams maybe.

Jordan 199

e Cola or Sprunk Williams Racing.

H3llR4iser

Dont be at yourself wrote: »

Sauber, Jordan, Tyrell, Minardi, Stewart etc are fundamentally different from Williams -- the latter is one of the most successful and storied teams in the history of the sport. Absent a huge title sponsorship/works deal, the new owners are not going to jeopardise that brand, and risk losing its huge fanbase, just to rename it "Dorlington Racing" or similar.

I'm afraid it is not the case at all - Williams is not really a "brand" outside of Formula 1. Ask the layperson about Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and McLaren, and they will know they're car manufacturers; heck they will know Red Bull as a drinks company. Williams? Only people with an interest in motor racing will know the name.

As successful a team it has been, the big issue with Williams has been indeed that it was kept a "family business" for far too long, never venturing outside of the realm of motorsports and expanding their reach as a "brand", except for the odd "prepped up" version of Renault road cars.

It's basically the same situation "names" like Tyrrell and Brabham (and to a lesser extent Lotus, but in their case the situation was much more complicated) found themselves in. And guess what, they're nowhere to be seen on the grid.

Hopefully the new owners value the Williams name and will not only keep it, but expand its significance...but I wouldn't keep my breath.

SMC92Ian

But it's still Williams isn't it? Same staff, facotries, etc?

quokula

Yeah I don't think the Williams brand holds much value unfortunately. McLaren make highly desirable sports cars that are in the same ballpark as Ferrari, though they are still a much smaller brand obviously. They also have an association with Senna who is one of the very few drivers in F1 history who really transcended the sport and became known globally.

Williams on the other hand have won a lot of titles but never really had that megastar presence putting them in the news outside of F1, nor have they had any major commercial presence outside of F1 other than the specialist work their engineering department does that consumers would have little awareness of.

recyclebin

H3llR4iser wrote: »

I'm afraid it is not the case at all - Williams is not really a "brand" outside of Formula 1. Ask the layperson about Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and McLaren, and they will know they're car manufacturers; heck they will know Red Bull as a drinks company. Williams? Only people with an interest in motor racing will know the name.

As successful a team it has been, the big issue with Williams has been indeed that it was kept a "family business" for far too long, never venturing outside of the realm of motorsports and expanding their reach as a "brand", except for the odd "prepped up" version of Renault road cars.

It's basically the same situation "names" like Tyrrell and Brabham (and to a lesser extent Lotus, but in their case the situation was much more complicated) found themselves in. And guess what, they're nowhere to be seen on the grid.

Hopefully the new owners value the Williams name and will not only keep it, but expand its significance...but I wouldn't keep my breath.

Willliams did have a business outside Formula one, Williams Advanced Engineering which was founded in 2010 as a spin off of the Formula 1 team. I think they sold most if in 2019 to keep the Formula 1 team afloat.

Parsnips

Netflix announce new series about Senna to be released.

PopePalpatine

I hope it's more balanced than the documentary. Bonus points if Piquet's a narco-esque wanker full of machismo.

Frank Bullitt

https://the-race.com/formula-1/mark-hughes-the-first-glimpse-of-f1s-party-mode-reality/

Fairly sobering read this...2020 just gets worse for the sport. The FIA are completely inept at any kind of change.

Mercedes-powered George Russell seemed to be trying to prepare us for this reality in the Thursday press conference when he said, “If anything it’s only going to help them even more in the race. So the whole idea of trying to slow them down is actually going to go completely the opposite way and is only going to enhance their performance.

“I think on a Saturday it will probably compromise us a tenth or two. But we expect it to also compromise the other manufacturers a tenth or so. So we are probably net one-tenth down on a Saturday.

cadaliac

Frank Williams.

That is what made Williams famous.
He is a legend.

It would be a shame to loose sight of that fact.

mickdw

cadaliac wrote: »

Frank Williams.

That is what made Williams famous.
He is a legend.

It would be a shame to loose sight of that fact.

Patrick Head a major part of it all too.
I like to see some more questioning of Paddy Lowe and his performance in his last spell at Williams.

04581466

Adrian Newey.

His departure was the killer blow they never recovered from.

flazio

Man with broke phone wrote: »

Im sure it will some company and williams for example

Sprite Williams Coke Williams or Pepsi Williams

Or whatever the highest bidder is.

Geri Horner Williams maybe.

If it's Gillette that sponsors them and someone from W series makes the jump up, it could be rebranded "Venus Williams"
Or the Claire name might prevail if Shannon airport company decide once travel returns to normal to promote Country Clare with a title sponsorship of the Clare Williams.

Wanderer78

flazio wrote:

If it's Gillette that sponsors them and someone from W series makes the jump up, it could be rebranded "Venus Williams" Or the Claire name might prevail if Shannon airport company decide once travel returns to normal to promote Country Clare with a title sponsorship of the Clare Williams.

Sadly, things don't look too good for Shannon airport