Maldonado sponsorship for Williams

[manchild]

I agree, 46 MUSD for a well-connected wannabee to try his luck is pocketchange for a rich country such as Venezuela.

Luckily enough, I belong to the generation remembering Frank Williams letting go of an almost certain 1982 WDC,
Carlos Retutemann, over the Argentinian - Falkland politics, those were the days.

Are you sure that it was his decision, or just the "offer" from MT he couldn't refuse? That was the state of war, without space for free will business decisions.

I really don't get this Chavez obsession. He is no good, I mentioned that already, just like most politicians from other nations involved in F1. I'm not defending him, just saying is that if you're going to point out such injustices, than to avoid hypocrite label, be fair and mention all countries and their presidents, prime ministers or monarchs who are doing identical thing as Chavez. There's only a dozen teams in F1, it wouldn't take too much time.

To make it clear, I'm not writing this as personal provocation, I just think that if we're going to talk about money taken from citizens without their consent, to be "invested" in F1 and likely skimmed by those are taking it, than name all of those who are doing it.

[bhall]

Respectfully, I have no idea how any of that applies to the discussion. What am I missing?

[munudeges]

Why in heavens for, this document is unique and precious, for the first time we can see in black and white what kind of sport F1 has become, 29.4 MGBP, that's more than 2 MUSD per race, is this for real, how did FW end up like this?

Pig headed stupidity and an inability to look facts in the face. It really stems from a steady decline from playing silly buggers with drivers, Mansell, Hill and the disaster that was Zanardi for example, and a failure to recognise engineering talent (namely Adrian Newey) and allowing him to get on with it and letting the team move on. They should have just sold it to BMW and let them run it into the ground, but no, they were too anal to do that. It's small wonder that Raikkonen and his advisers ran for the hills, even if it was to the Lotus house of cards.

I love how the reference and VAT number is blanked out but the account numbers and international codes are still visible. Maybe Williams are soliciting donations through this?

It all looks very sad and pathetic, doesn't it?

[bosanac1]

bosanac1 - So if Maldanardo "could do more or less same job as Webber" then you think he can take the car to 3rd for 2 seasons in a row?

Your comment also infers that you think Maldonardo is more talented than Alguersuari and Buemi - they were both deemed to not be good enough to replace Webber.

We will never know if he could repeat Webber's result. Also my comment was lame jab attempt at bigger teams that clearly have preference driver (Vettel, Alonso etc), and what team wouldn't want free money.
And btw this isn't attack on Webber driving ability its more disbelief at type of money someone offer to buy F1 seat.

[Giblet]

Keep in mind that team loves Webber, and Webber loves the team. They all get along quite well, and enjoy working together. It is a two way relationship that both parties enjoy.

[manchild]

Respectfully, I have no idea how any of that applies to the discussion. What am I missing?

Well, it is not the first time in topics about Williams that people mention it. Like "Chavez is bad, money is dirty and therefore Williams is a dirty team". That is why I suggested that if those things should be cleared out, than let them point out all politicians who are spending citizens money on F1, and all F1 teams who accept such sponsorships. F1 teams are not "One whore and eleven virgins" band as some suggest, or fail to see that by pointing out only isolated cases, they blow the wind in the sails of those who are doing identical things, and whose enemy outside of the sport Chavez is.

[FW17]

I am quiet sure that the $47 million is right as this was indicated at least twice by joe saward.

Once indicated a sum over 20 million pounds when PM was first rumored in 2010 Brazilian GP

And last year when the Venezuela minister called for an investigation, he had indicated a sum of over $220 million for its full period (could be 5)

Respectfully, I have no idea how any of that applies to the discussion. What am I missing?

Well, it is not the first time in topics about Williams that people mention it. Like "Chavez is bad, money is dirty and therefore Williams is a dirty team". That is why I suggested that if those things should be cleared out, than let them point out all politicians who are spending citizens money on F1, and all F1 teams who accept such sponsorships. F1 teams are not "One whore and eleven virgins" band as some suggest, or fail to see that by pointing out only isolated cases, it blows the wind in the sails of those who are doing identical things, and whose enemy outside of the sport Chavez is.

If Chavez's money is dirty, so is all the Arab money in Ferrari, Mclaren and Mercedes

[FW17]

[manchild]

Respectfully, I have no idea how any of that applies to the discussion. What am I missing?

Well, it is not the first time in topics about Williams that people mention it. Like "Chavez is bad, money is dirty and therefore Williams is a dirty team". That is why I suggested that if those things should be cleared out, than let them point out all politicians who are spending citizens money on F1, and all F1 teams who accept such sponsorships. F1 teams are not "One whore and eleven virgins" band as some suggest, or fail to see that by pointing out only isolated cases, it blows the wind in the sails of those who are doing identical things, and whose enemy outside of the sport Chavez is.

If Chavez's money is dirty, so is all the Arab money in Ferrari, Mclaren and Mercedes

Exactly! Many other unmentioned too.

[Richard]

bosanac - OK. Better to say what you mean to say on this site.

I guess only the top 4 teams that could turn down pay driver. Although even they'll have an eye on the sponsorship potential when comparing similar drivers for the number 2 seat. That's just being a vicarious pay driver.

For example that must have been a huge factor in McLaren's assessment of Button. Even if Button didn't do very well, they could be sure the sponsors would love him.

[FW17]

For example that must have been a huge factor in McLaren's assessment of Button. Even if Button didn't do very well, they could be sure the sponsors would love him.

Other than in the UK and Australia, where else do you see Buttons value?

[Richard]

This isn't about "dirty money". It's about pre-election tension in Venezuela. I suspect this has been leaked to show how their existing president is frivolously wasting cash on fantasy projects.

However Chevez is rather adapt at the nationalist card, so he'll retort that this is evidence of the strength of the nationalised oil industry. "we kicked the colonial pigs out of our oil industry and it has bourne fruit, we now have a Venezuelan company leading a team in F1. It shows we are now a rival to Shell, they can no longer keep us under their thumb."

This short statement will of course take about 2 hours to be deliver in a live TV address to the nation on all channels. Any journalists who question it will end up in prison.

Heh, that's South American politics for you.

[Richard]

For example that must have been a huge factor in McLaren's assessment of Button. Even if Button didn't do very well, they could be sure the sponsors would love him.

Other than in the UK and Australia, where else do you see Buttons value?

As a highly gregarious blue eyed blonde WCC with a famous Japanese girlfriend, his potential was greater than more sullen lesser looking non-WCC divers competing for the slot.

Alongside Hamilton, McLaren have a good mix of drivers to appeal to a broad demographic. Sure, they're missing out on the Latin potential, but that's not an issue if you are targeting Middle East and Asia.

[xpensive]

Will all due respect to every member, we are not talking some south american sugar corporation paying for someone's desire to do F1, but an international pariah sinking 50 MUSD into a team which only ten years ago was an F1 powerhouse.

What's next, Kim Yong Pilot racing for McLaren?

[Richard]

Chavez isn't at pariah status yet is he? I think he'll need to blow up a plane or invade a neighbouring country to get that honour.