Williams Need to “Jump Into Bed With Another Team”: Former F1 Driver

Former F1 and Williams driver Mark Webber feels the iconic British team is “staring down the gun barrel” with their current financial situation and troubles. Contrary to what most F1 experts have been saying, Webber hailed Williams for having the courage to put up the team for sale. Furthermore, Webber had some crucial advice for the British team.

Webber’s take on Williams’ struggles

It appears nearly anyone and everyone from the F1 world is giving their two cents on Williams’ current predicament. Former team principals, drivers, and pundits have all had their say on the team’s crisis and the popular opinion has been critical of upper management at the team.

Webber sympathized with the team’s misery and actually lauded the Grove outfit for taking the necessary steps. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably aware of the British team’s financial woes.

A week ago, Williams announced that it would be potentially selling off a majority stake in the team. In 2019, Williams posted a loss of $16 million dollars at a time when the Grove outfit is finishing plumb last very often.

To make matters worse, Williams announced its termination with title sponsor- ROKiT, over alleged nonpayment of dues. The team is heading into the 2020 season very much on the backfoot.

Former Williams driver Mark Webber gave his take on the team’s current predicament. Speaking to the podcast, At The Controls, Webber said:

“Well, I think for independent teams, they’re looking down the gun barrel on what the new Formula 1 looks like “

“And if you’re pretty flaky pre-COVID, you’re gonna be super-flaky now in terms of how your commercial partners look”,

“Just your overheads to run the team on a day to day basis”
“So I think it’s a good thing for Williams to finally make the call that,”

“It’s not a white flag but it’s just that ‘okay we can’t crack on as we are, we need outside funding, whether it’s a minority, whether it’s a majority”

“They could well lose control”

Webber also advised Williams to consider teaming up with another team to reverse its fortunes.

“Clearly if they go on as they are, by their own admission, it’s not gonna last, so they need support”

“Williams needs to be getting a big cash input or jump into bed with another team”