What next for Williams?

TheHemps · Mar 6, 2013

With Chavez gone, will the new guy keep bankrolling Maldonado? He's worth $30million a year to Williams.

Kevin McDonald · Mar 6, 2013

I think this puts pressure on Maldonado as Williams have probably received 2013's funding but he will need to show that he is good enough to be kept in F1 on talent alone.

Hampus Andersson · Mar 6, 2013

I´m not sure but i think his win has sort of legitimized him as a certified F1 driver.
I bet Frank Williams has him close to heart as well considering he took Williams first win for many years.

Kevin McDonald · Mar 6, 2013

Hampus Andersson said:
I´m not sure but i think his win has sort of legitimized him as a certified F1 driver.
I bet Frank Williams has him close to heart as well considering he took Williams first win for many years.

Though I'm not sure Frank was impressed by him losing more than a race win-worth of points due to crashes.

TheHemps · Mar 6, 2013

It's no secret Williams have been struggling to find sponsors after RBS went down the pan. I think this will be a massive hit to them. And if Maldonado has legitimized himself as an F1 driver, then it'll cost to keep him with no sponsorship.

Kevin McDonald · Mar 6, 2013

If Maldonado does lose his sponsorship I could see Williams falling back and becoming back-markers, I don't think anybody would want to see that.

TheHemps · Mar 6, 2013

That's what I'm worried about. If they can't replace the sponsorship they'll really struggle.

Kevin McDonald · Mar 6, 2013

Well, they could go for for Kartikeyan

TheHemps · Mar 6, 2013

You say that us a joke, but.......

Kevin McDonald · Mar 6, 2013

Yes, it would be a real shame for the sport if they were to fall back but at least they have the best part of a year to find a big sponsor.

Markus Neumann · Mar 7, 2013

Apparently they have a five-year contract with Venezuela which is "watertight" and not dependent on Chavez being alive. (Source: http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/...-maldonado-trauert-mit-venezuela-6742029.html (German))