So long as criticism is factually correct I have no problem with a negative opinion of Williams being expressed. Williams has done lots of things that I have disagreed with.
I do not believe that Williams handled Adrian's departure very well. It certainly never fully recovered from it. My own opinion is that once Adrian's R&D programme dried up so did Williams'. By Sir Frank's own admission, the BMW 'episode' could, and probably should have, been managed better. There were faults on both sides of that one. Bernie's hand was also evident in the BMW split.
I have been a Williams supporter for a long time now, since 1969. In that time I have seen lots of success, with plenty of heartbreak. My motivation for supporting Williams has never been about winning. It has always been about participation in F1. I have and always will enjoy any successes that come our way, I always want to see Williams beat the rest of the field at its strongest. Winning at the cost of someone else's misfortune is a diluted success.
Right now there is something fundamentally wrong at Williams and attracting a works deal is not going to be easy. I also agree that RBR is in a much stronger position to attract a VW deal. It is a team on the rise and there is the German/Austrian connection. Until fairly recently Germany was Red Bull's biggest market. I have not seen recent sales figures. It was certainly where the product took off. The only counter argument that I can think of, and it is weak, is whether VW would want to go up against Mercedes locally and be seen to be putting an Austrian team up against the German team.
Williams is right up against the eight ball in attracting a works deal of any kind. Although the Toto Wolff appointment was both surprising and difficult to fathom. Their have been views expressed that it was indicative of Patrick or Sam or both being moved out of the way. Toto is also supposed to be a conduit that delivers a works deal with VW or a sell-out to VW. It is just a question of watch this space with Toto. I can't think that he is along for the ride. The working relationship between Sam and Patrick has not been productive. Why that is, is anyone's guess outside of Grove. It really should have settled down by now.
In 2008 Sam hinted that Williams was trying to tie up a works deal with a new [to F1] manufacturer. There were only a couple of sentences on it right at the end of an interview and none of the press picked up on it. Paraphrasing what was said, he said that the engine homogolation was preventing a new manufacturer from entering F1. For it to happen, the new manufacturer wanted at least twelve months of unfettered engine development, but other teams would not agree to it. He did not say that Williams had asked for such a development period, but it was implied. I would not be surprised if such a request was refused. As we touched on earlier with the FOTA expulsion and test ban F1 is a nest of vipers with too much politicking and far too many vested interests for its own good. (another debate maybe?
) I always hoped that the unnamed manufacturer was VW but I have always had a suspicion for Hyundai. That would also be a big fish to land.
Apologies for expressing factual opinion are not necessary. I have always been an F1 fan first. If your facts are wrong, I will getcha!
No offence taken, none intended.
Williams and proud of it.
)