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**Thigmaswams** · 09-27-2009, 11:26 AM

As my mind was wandering the other day, my musings, as they often do, turned to Formula 1. Perhaps prompted by a report I'd read about Williams' use of KERS in 2010 I started to ponder Sir Frank's team and the rather beligerant attitude they'd taken on a number of issues recently.

Williams have put themselves at odds with their competitors many times over the last few years. To name a few:

- Objection to customers cars that ended Prodrive's F1 aspirations
- Left FOTA to sign with the FIA
- Refused to allow Ferrari to test Schumi
- Knocked 3 car teams on their head before the discussion even got started
- Gave the old two-finger salute to the other teams over the use of KERS next season.

Williams certainly weren't alone on all these issues but none of the other teams have been quite so, for want of a better word, objectionable as the lads from Grove.

Why is this I wonder? Is Williams' stance on these issues the act of a grand old team defending the essence of F1 against the deprivations of the manufacturers and their poisonous corporate ways? Or are these the actions of a once great team desperate to remain relevant as they slip further and further away from their glory days?

Personally I think it's a bit of both. Williams are a shadow their former selves and there has been little to suggest that they're ever going to get back to the top. By preventing customer cars, stopping 3 car teams and ignoring the "ban" on KERS I see Williams trying to stop decisions that would see them slip further away from F1 relevancy.

I also think these decisions have an element of Williams trying to protect a "vision" of F1 that may, or may not, be still relevant today. Williams firmly believe that F1 is a place for constructors and not just teams. As the last of the "garagistas" that's not surprising. Their decision to side with the FIA during the FOTA War may have been a purely legal one but I sense a bit of the Gentleman Racer in Sir Frank in that decision.

So, what say you? Are Williams just a bunch of grumpy old men or are they fighting the good fight?

09-27-2009, 11:26 AM	#1
Thigmaswams Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 481 Senior Member	Williams F1 - The Grumpy Old Men of Formula 1 As my mind was wandering the other day, my musings, as they often do, turned to Formula 1. Perhaps prompted by a report I'd read about Williams' use of KERS in 2010 I started to ponder Sir Frank's team and the rather beligerant attitude they'd taken on a number of issues recently. Williams have put themselves at odds with their competitors many times over the last few years. To name a few: - Objection to customers cars that ended Prodrive's F1 aspirations - Left FOTA to sign with the FIA - Refused to allow Ferrari to test Schumi - Knocked 3 car teams on their head before the discussion even got started - Gave the old two-finger salute to the other teams over the use of KERS next season. Williams certainly weren't alone on all these issues but none of the other teams have been quite so, for want of a better word, objectionable as the lads from Grove. Why is this I wonder? Is Williams' stance on these issues the act of a grand old team defending the essence of F1 against the deprivations of the manufacturers and their poisonous corporate ways? Or are these the actions of a once great team desperate to remain relevant as they slip further and further away from their glory days? Personally I think it's a bit of both. Williams are a shadow their former selves and there has been little to suggest that they're ever going to get back to the top. By preventing customer cars, stopping 3 car teams and ignoring the "ban" on KERS I see Williams trying to stop decisions that would see them slip further away from F1 relevancy. I also think these decisions have an element of Williams trying to protect a "vision" of F1 that may, or may not, be still relevant today. Williams firmly believe that F1 is a place for constructors and not just teams. As the last of the "garagistas" that's not surprising. Their decision to side with the FIA during the FOTA War may have been a purely legal one but I sense a bit of the Gentleman Racer in Sir Frank in that decision. So, what say you? Are Williams just a bunch of grumpy old men or are they fighting the good fight?
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