Ralf to Renault for 2005

[vat_man]

Reports at f1-live.com and Autosport indicate Ralf's manager, Wili Weber, has announced that they're just about to sign Ralf to Renault (of all places) for 2005!

It's also come out that Webber has a clause in his contract that Jaguar need to be 5th or 6th in the championship mid-season or he can walk away from his contract.

 

[Carl.]

Has Flavio lost his mind?? I'd rather keep trulli or hire webber than getting ralf I just don't get it... perhaps it is the fear of losing Alonso to Ferrari. Guess I'll have to update my recent thread on Ralf with this one:

Lucky little brother....

 

[scuderia229]

I don't get it? Why? Why Ralf? Jarno Truili (who I assume is being canned) is a more solid driver. DC (who is on the market) is a MUCh better driver and I think a Webber/Alonso team would be amazing.

I don't get this and dont REALLY believe it yet...I partly think this is Ralf and Willie blowing moke up Sir Frank's butt trying to strong-arm him which Ralf hasn't learned doesn't work!

EDIT: I just thought of something.....maybe Alonso has signed elsewhere and Ralf is replacing him? I hope this isn't the case and doubt it. My Scuderia is the only team with the $$$ to pry Alonse form Renault...though I am wishing for Kimi to be at Scuderia next year....

Maybe it is known in the Paddock that Shumi is retiring in 05 and the wheels are starting on shifting drivers around.....

Trulili/DC at Williams next year?

 

[vat_man]

I was actually thinking that Sir Frank Williams and Flavio might have engineered a deal to get Webber out of Jaguar and into Williams which involved getting Ralf out into a top drive.

Which implies that the other seat at Williams is already signed to someone. I wonder who?

The other question mentioned above is quite pertinent - who leaves Renault?

 

[Mike Rotch]

A bit of a shock, and if this is true then Williams may be shooting themselves in the foot this year. How competitive can a team be when everybody knows both drivers are leaving when the season ends?

I agree with 229. My conjecture is that the paddock know's Shumi is leaving at the end of the year, Ralf is going to Renault to replace Alonso, who is off to Ferrari.

Well, that is how I hope it shakes out anyway. Trulli and Webber at Williams? Wouldnt that be weird?

 

[vat_man]

I reckon Frank's got Button lined up for Montoya's seat.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Forgot about Jensen. Where does that leave Trulli then? BAR, Jaguar? That guy can never catch a break.

 

[Race Idiot]

Originally posted by vat_man
I reckon Frank's got Button lined up for Montoya's seat.

I remember the second year of Buttons carrer, Williams loaned him to Benneton/Renault. I remember somebody mentioning that he'd be back at Williams at one point or another.

If that happens I wonder what BAR would do.

 

[millencolin]

they would kick up a massive stink.....i think button is staying at BAR. Webber and DC is williams driver lineup for next year

 

[Mike Rotch]

Originally posted by millencolin
Webber and DC is williams driver lineup for next year

You must be joking. DC? Ha. He has proven time and again he is not title material. He will be lucky to get a Toyota drive next year.

Button is a shoe-in for Williams I reckon.

 

[Blake]

I think a Webber/Button team would actually be quite good in the hands of Williams. If Webber can get his hands on a good car I believe we will have a new world champion in 2-3 seasons. Button would be great supporting act.

I doubt MSC will be retiring in '05 if all things go well for him in '04, he just seems to in love with the sport and his team.

 

[vat_man]

grandprix.com has raised some doubts about the announcement.

On the assumption it's true - I would think Coulthard is mostly likely to go to Toyota. If the announcement is false I think that's where Ralf is going, and the announcement was simply a ploy to get more money out of Toyota.

One effect of the announcement - it's certain Ralf aint at the blue and whites next year..

 

[millencolin]

crash.net says that flavio briatore has denied the rumour

 

[Mike Rotch]

Yea, so does itvf1. I doubt whether Ralf's manager, Willi Weber, would make such allegations if it werent true in some respect though.

 

[Carl.]

Glad to see Flavio is still sane!

looks like Weber was trying to make some pressure on Williams for renewing his contract which is by far the best Ralf could expect for next year.... Not sure if this tactic will work as well as the last time he used it....

Ralf, David... last call!!

 

[scuderia229]

See I thought this maybe Ralphie boy and Willi trying to strong arm sir frank....

These little games make Ralphie even more pathetic than he already is.

uggh...i hope he doesn't end up with a drive next seson at ALL. Who needs him, he ain't nothing special. Give me Justin Wilson in a Williams over Ralphie anyday!

 

[vat_man]

Probably - although Briatore's wording of his denial was curious - "at no time did we discuss, or have we discussed, a possible future for Ralf Schumacher in a Renault car".

It probably is a tactic to strong arm Toyota, but I just wonder if Jaguar aren't in play (I realise the dollars don't add up).

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by Race Idiot
I remember the second year of Buttons carrer, Williams loaned him to Benneton/Renault. I remember somebody mentioning that he'd be back at Williams at one point or another.

If that happens I wonder what BAR would do.

Williams' option on Button expired after 2 years, therefore he is no longer under contract to them.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Originally posted by scuderia229

uggh...i hope he doesn't end up with a drive next seson at ALL. Who needs him, he ain't nothing special. Give me Justin Wilson in a Williams over Ralphie anyday!

*groans*

Wilson couldnt hack in a Jag, what makes you think he could do it in a Williams.

 

[scuderia229]

Originally posted by Mike Rotch
*groans*

Wilson couldnt hack in a Jag, what makes you think he could do it in a Williams.

that was my point. I'd take Justin over Ralf anyday. At least Justin shows potential. Ralf just whines and makes mistakes....I can't see why anyone would want him next season.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Originally posted by scuderia229
that was my point. I'd take Justin over Ralf anyday. At least Justin shows potential. Ralf just whines and makes mistakes....I can't see why anyone would want him next season.

Wilson is only in F1 cos he has money. Klien showed potential. In his first race he performed. Wilson has opportunity after opportunity and blew it.

Ralf will never be Michael, but on his day is unbeatable. His consistency or lack thereof is the problem.

 

[Blake]

If you think how Ralf looks when he is whining in his Williams uniform, just picture this face in that uniform next year.

No offence to Webber though, he is a great driver, he just needs a car that won't fall apart on him.

This is Quoted from an article on the V8 Supercar Website:

Schumacher, winner of six races in 116 Grand Prix

With statistics like that, I don't know why Williams wants to meet with him to keep him in the team, as Mike said, "Ralf will never be Micheal", I don't know why people are lead to believe he will be.

 

[millencolin]

i can see webber in williams overalls, lets see if it happens

 

[Mike Rotch]

Originally posted by Blake
If you think how Ralf looks when he is whining in his Williams uniform, just picture this face in that uniform next year.

No offence to Webber though, he is a great driver, he just needs a car that won't fall apart on him.

This is Quoted from an article on the V8 Supercar Website:

With statistics like that, I don't know why Williams wants to meet with him to keep him in the team, as Mike said, "Ralf will never be Micheal", I don't know why people are lead to believe he will be.

Bear in mind, Ralf spent a good few races A) At Jordan (that speaks for itself) and B) at the Williams when it was Winfield sponsored and uncompetitive.

The Williams has only recently become a challenger - it began at about the time Montoya arrived. So 6 victories in about 45 races sounds better.

Just like if Webber got a Williams drive next year, and miraculously won the first race, he would have 1 victory from 40 odd races.

 

[Blake]

Fisichella could bring the Jordan to Victory (once only mind), if Ralf was such a good driver he could get more than 6 victories in his career of 116 races!

If Webber Miraculously won the season he could have 6 victories from 60, which is 10%, better than ralf's 5% in his entire career, which has been for a while in the Williams team.

I just don't think Ralf has, or ever will have what Micheal has. I think Weber could do it, he has the driving skills, but he also is one of the best PR people in the sport. He does alot for Jaguar and their sponsers compared to many other drivers.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Originally posted by Blake
Fisichella could bring the Jordan to Victory (once only mind)

That victory was obtained last year, not 5 or 6 years ago when Ralf was at Jordan

, if Ralf was such a good driver he could get more than 6 victories in his career of 116 races!

By the same token, Webber should have done more last year, as that Jag was equivalent to Ralfs Jordan

If Webber Miraculously won the season he could have 6 victories from 60, which is 10%, better than ralf's 5% in his entire career, which has been for a while in the Williams team.

As we are dealing with IF's, if Ralf won this season, he could have 13 victories from 130 GP's, the same 10 %

I just don't think Ralf has, or ever will have what Micheal has.

Seven titles pretty much means no-one does, but agreed.

I think Weber could do it, he has the driving skills, but he also is one of the best PR people in the sport. He does alot for Jaguar and their sponsers compared to many other drivers.

How does a good PR person make you a good driver? Didnt do Coulthard much good. Webber is a good driver. I personally dont think he is in the same league as Kimi or Juan.

 

[scuderia229]

Originally posted by Mike Rotch
Wilson is only in F1 cos he has money. Klien showed potential. In his first race he performed. Wilson has opportunity after opportunity and blew it.

Ralf will never be Michael, but on his day is unbeatable. His consistency or lack thereof is the problem.

Yes on his day Ralphie boy is unbeatable, but those days happen what once or twice (at most) a season? And they only happen if the planets align correctly, Ralphie is on pole, out front and never challenged from behind for the lead..... The rest of the days it looks as if he has never driven a car before.

Wilson is only in F1 because he has money? Aren't you mistaking him for Klein? Wilson worked is bum off to raise that money last season. I don't think Justin is the best ever but of the rookie class last season he is next to Da Matta. Klein finished 11th, out of the points in AU, big deal? At least 2 of those positions are because webber and Kimi retired. I was less than impressed with Klein. Maybe he will finish a GP in the points this season, I hope he does, Jag needs it...but i won't hold my breath.

I think Justin Wilson shoudl get another chance/season in F1. I'd love to even see him as a 3rd driver for a better team than Minardi or Jag are. If he blows it again then thats it but he did show some flashes of talent last season.

 

[scuderia229]

Originally posted by Mike Rotch
How does a good PR person make you a good driver? Didnt do Coulthard much good. Webber is a good driver. I personally dont think he is in the same league as Kimi or Juan.

I don't think Webber is in the same league with Kimi or JPM as far as natural driving skill. However of the three I think Webber is the most dedicated and hardest over-all worker. We have all read the comparisons in the F1 press between Webber and Schumi's work ethic. I think that combined with his above average driving ability will bring him a long way in F1. I think in the right car in the right year Webber could win a title but I don't see it as multiple titles or any dominating performance. Kimi I can see multiple titles and some Schumi like domination. JPM....I can also see multiple titles but he needs to work on his emotions and consistency before that.

Of the young guys I'd rate Kimi first, Alonso second (he seems more focused this season than last) , JPM third and Webber and Button tied at about the same level.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Originally posted by scuderia229

Of the young guys I'd rate Kimi first, Alonso second (he seems more focused this season than last) , JPM third and Webber and Button tied at about the same level.

Yep, I would agree with that.

 

[Blake]

How does a good PR person make you a good driver?

I wasn't saying that made him a good driver. I was saying that along with his exceptional driving skills (that he really has worked at) he is an excellent asset to any team that can get him. He could win a title in thew right car, and I think he would in a few seasons. But he can also keep the sponsers very happy, if you looked at Webbers scheduel before the race in Australia, you would have seen that he works really hard for Jaguar even though there is a high probability that he is going to Williams next season.