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Why is the potential driver line up for Williams next year so uninspiring? The amount of talent in the Junior ranks how come none are in the frame?

I've nothing against Massa, Kubica or even Di Restaurants, but surely theres some youngster they could have taken a punt on?

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"I'd rather lose a race going fast enough to win it, than win one going slow enough to lose it".
-Stirling Moss

Put Rosenqvist in! I am sure he would do an excellent Job.

But I guess, yes, they are looking for another driver teacher for Stroll. They should have tried to get Perez before he extended with FI IMO.

A comeback of Kubica could be exciting if he is on form. Di Resta, uninspiring okay, but why not. Massa really would be uninspiring.

It's sort of funny that you mention Rosenqvist because that's the drivers the Stroll's hired to mentor Lance in F3, of course the difference this time is that Rosenqvist has no F1 experience.

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PF1 Pick 10 Competition

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2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 12th

Wins: Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: 2nd Canada 2015, 3rd Monza 2016, Hungary 2016 and Barcelona 2015

I don't understand what is uninspiring about hiring Kubica, if he could make it work they would probably make a film about him.

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PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 12th

Wins: Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: 2nd Canada 2015, 3rd Monza 2016, Hungary 2016 and Barcelona 2015

After all, it is quite unknown and to some degree doubtful that Kubica and Di Resta can drive on the level with Massa.

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The end is near

Why? Don't get me wrong, Stroll has been pretty solid for the most part but I don't see greatness there. It's one thing to let him pay for his seat. it;s another thing alltogether to build the team around him. IMO there are only 5 drivers in F1 who are worth doing that for and he's not one of them.

Massa is done due to his loss of pace. Be nice to see Button come back but I guess that would be little better than Massa in some regards. Too much risk with RK physically. I go with Di Restaurant.

If Stroll can do it....

Is it just me or does it seem like Massa's pace and energy has really dropped off since his mystery sickness back in Hungary?

For me a potential Kubica comeback is pretty inspiring.

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I don't get the Kubica fairytale at all. He injured his hand but was still able to race cars at a very high level (WEC cars, WRC cars etc)

People go on likes he's Lazarus

This Di Restaurant guy sounds OK.

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Go Vandoorne - Verstappen - Vettel!

I feel like his pace and energy has dropped off since around 2009. He & Kimi should read books together.

If they could keep Di Resta, they should've kept Sutil as well in the list.

Di Resta is anyway there because of Mercedes connections. But I hope Massa retires. Want to see a new face in his seat.

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Feel The Fourth

Kubica is the only remotely exciting prospect for me, though considering his probable level if he came back I'd probably prefer seeing Wehrlein or even Giovinazzi in that car. But OK, Martini. Unfortunate.

I'd like to see Kubica come back but only if he can prove that he can cope physically with a whole race weekend on a regular basis, perhaps if they signed him on a race by race basis or signed him for half a season at first and then reviewed the situation half way through and if he's struggling put Di Resta in the car for the remaining races. Having Martini only allowing someone over 25 in the car does not help the situation. I did also wonder if Williams had approached Rosberg about coming back (not that I would want him to).

My quandary with Williams is not that the drivers are uninspiring but rather they are a bit of an unknown quantity. For example I’d like to see where Alonso could place the car.

I read somewhere that the '18 car will be a complete overhaul & will have substantial inputs from Paddy Lowe. A lot is expected from Williams next year.

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Feel The Fourth

I was never really on the Kubica hype train, but I've got to say I'd like to see him make a comeback to F1. As much as anything because I'm curious as to whether he'd be able to perform close to the level he was at prior to his accident. And as a Massa fan, I'm actually okay with him retiring (for sure) this time. There is nothing to get excited about seeing him driving a Williams which, most weekends, is in a battle just to make it into Q3. And I don't believe they're about to make a significant step forward to change that; if anything I think Renault and McLaren will be ahead next year. It's as good a time as any for Massa to get out of F1.



Only if he provides a fast (food) alternative...

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Cheering for: Leclerc, Hulkenberg, Vandoorne
Pick 10 | 1 win, 10 podiums
2017: 6th | 2016: 8th | 2015: 2nd | 2014: 15th | 2013: 17th | 2012: 11th

That just sounds wrong.

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After the spring thing he really lost some of his pace.

So do Williams not have links to any drivers or teams in the feeder series?

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"I'd rather lose a race going fast enough to win it, than win one going slow enough to lose it".
-Stirling Moss

I think they still have Alex Lynn. Yet to turn 25 though.

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Go Vandoorne - Verstappen - Vettel!

Because Williams is a very, very uninspiring team.

Massa became a shell of his former self loooong before Hungary. Years ago.

I like Kubica as a person, but I never quite bought into the hype. One attrition based win and a minimal margin over Heideld wasnt enough to convince me. I know the other drivers rate him, but I also remember Fisichella being viewed in the same way..

Di Resta, again, nice enough guy, had a shot but didn't really show signs if being anything more than competent.

_________________
"I'd rather lose a race going fast enough to win it, than win one going slow enough to lose it".
-Stirling Moss

He just injured his hand? His arm was nearly severed.

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PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 12th

Wins: Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: 2nd Canada 2015, 3rd Monza 2016, Hungary 2016 and Barcelona 2015

No he came up against Alonso who beat him the way Schumacher beat him which Kimi was unable to do.

_________________
PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 12th

Wins: Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: 2nd Canada 2015, 3rd Monza 2016, Hungary 2016 and Barcelona 2015

No

_________________
PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 12th

Wins: Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: 2nd Canada 2015, 3rd Monza 2016, Hungary 2016 and Barcelona 2015

He gave up on F1 after poor performances and went to the WEC I think?

_________________
PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 12th

Wins: Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: 2nd Canada 2015, 3rd Monza 2016, Hungary 2016 and Barcelona 2015

I sort of agree but sometimes Kubica was capable of outstanding performances.

_________________
PF1 Pick 10 Competition

2013: 5th Place
2014: Champion
2015: 3rd Place
2016: 4th Place
2017: 9th Place
2018: Currently 12th

Wins: Abu Dhabi 2017
Podiums: 2nd Canada 2015, 3rd Monza 2016, Hungary 2016 and Barcelona 2015

He was the star of the show for me in 2008. Spinning off in Silverstone is the only time I can recall him putting a foot wrong. And blew me away a number of times in 2010 - so much so that I still think he put a better season together than any of the title contenders

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FA#14

Maybe that would suit Williams better. Reliable to bring home points without showing up the 'other' driver, even if only at times. He is seen on tv and keeps the public face, and is 'mates' with the commentators so there would be extra coverage of the Williams name, as there is of RBR with DC and Webbo. Known entity with little abrasion and a good yardstick without the flash to detract from the chosen one, who incidentally is coming along well so if he beats PD so much the better for them.

And he also had Kimi covered for speed.

The unknown is what getting another chance at F1 brings to the table in terms of temperament. Both these guys would be salivating at the idea of another go at F1, but its a different kind of motivation because they've been there before, know what to expect, but also know how rare it is to get a second chance. Mentally they would be approaching it like being able to re-live your 20s with the knowledge of your 30s, and that could translate into lap times.

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"Guys I'm coming in, I'm having too much grip"
- Chanoch Nissany

I think Kubica is a solid driver but when his benchmark was Nick Heidfeld and Vitaly Petrov, I'm unsure I could bestow such accolades on him. Nick beat him in 07 and 09.
It would have been interesting to see him against a rated team mate as to better gauge where he really stood.

2007 was Kubica's first full season. Heidfeld also beat Raikkonen in 2001

Either way I greatly admired Heidfeld. I don't know if any other modern day driver was screwed over so many times.
- Lined up for a McLaren seat - in walks Kimi
- First (and only) genuine opportunity at a race win - aaah we'll go with the other guy
- Lined up for a Mercedes seat - in walks Michael bloody Schumacher
- Driving a Lotus with the dodgiest of designs - gets the sack. Then of course they put together their stellar 2012 machine

Dude couldn't catch a break. And now he's Quick Nick with the most races/no wins record, a journeyman teammate that you should be embarrassed to lose to. Well he was no all-time great but he was better than the stats show

What does the guy in the other car have to do with it anyway? Kubica drove better than anyone else in 2008 and there's a strong case for 2010. Put Fred Flintstone in the other BMW or Renault and I don't know why that should lessen Kubica's performance. It's an open secret that he was going to be in the other Ferrari in 2012. The match-up you crave would have happened if things didn't go a certain way

_________________
I don't rely entirely on God

I rely on Prost



FA#14