F1 musical chairs

[Neilk]

Button signed with Williams BMW for the 2005 season. So it looks like the only people staying put for next season are Michael, Rubens and Kimi. Sato is questionable at Honda and everybody else has been dumped or looking for new rides.

It would be interesting if we could ship Michael out to Minardi, or more realistically, Toyota, at least they have the budget to be competitive.

[nostatic]

Button signed with Williams??? I thought he was going to stay put with Sato. I think he will regret that decision.

[GettinHeadStuds]

Why do you say that Todd?

Sato blows engines and drives like a cowboy. I don't understand how that is good for Button.

[jyl]

Sounds like Webber is also signed with Williams/BMW, which I'm happy about. I like Sato, hope he stays in F1 and ideally with BAR/Honda. I also hope Coultard gets a ride, as he's one of the more articulate and interesting drivers. Any word where Ralf S. is going?

[nostatic]

BAR has to keep Sato around, and I think he is a talented driver. Button and Webber will not get along, and I think that BAR has the better car.

Ralf is going to Toyota.

[Owain]

Yeah, it's not so much Sato but with the might of Honda behind them BAR has been performing better than Williams, lately. Whether that continues or not is the gamble.

Also, the movements have started already: Da Matta is out at Toyota with Zonta replacing him for the rest of the season starting in Hungary.

Link

[Neilk]

What the hell is going on?

BAR is claiming that Button is still under contract and BMW claims that Button excercised a "get out" clause.

Check out Planet-F1 for more details.

I can't wait to see the next GP. Let's see which BAR engine will grenade this time.

[Zeke]

Ralf was reported to be maybe Toyota's choice. If Shoe and Reubens had to move, it would almost be like players rotating in volleyball at each new serve.

[tchanson]

Originally posted by Neilk
BAR is claiming that Button is still under contract and BMW claims that Button excercised a "get out" clause.

And the escape clause supposedly hinges on Honda's ongoing "committment"? Given their increased committments of both cash and engineeering talent to BAR through at least 2007, that could be a tough sell.

Sounds like JB at least handled the situation with tact.

Dave Richard's official BAR statement:


"We are absolutely astounded to hear that Jenson thinks that he is leaving BAR for Williams next season. Neither myself, nor any other member of the BAR team, has been contacted by Jenson to discuss this matter.

Jenson is under contract with BAR for 2005, since we took up an option on his services only last month. At no time during the last few months has Jenson expressed anything other than his desire to continue working with BAR to achieve our collective goal of winning the World Championship.

It is our intention to enforce our current contractual position with Jenson. My duty is to the 400- strong workforce which has worked tirelessly over the past two seasons to give Jenson the car he has today; and to our partners, whose unfailing support and commitment to the team has contributed to the solid structure we now have in place.

Unfortunately this is now a matter for the lawyers and I have every confidence that the legal process will confirm that yesterday's announcement has not only been premature but also invalid."


On its face, I don't think that the move to Williams makes much sense. If he does go, I would guess that Webber will be outperforming JB with some frequency, with the Hondas outperforming them both.

While the Brit F1 press seems to slavishly fawn over JB, he seems to me to have built a reputation on supposedly unfulfilled potential. Except that "potential", IMO has remained unrealized now over JB's 5 seasons in F1 with 3 different teams.

Tim

[Reg]

I wonder where our boy Villeneuve will fit in for next year?

It's good to see one on Richards for a change. That guy must be the biggest prick in England!