Williams: A BlogF1 Retrospective

Number three in the retrospective series centres around a team close to my heart. It was the team that caught my attention back in the mid-nineties, so emphatically doted upon by the legendary commentator Murray Walker. Of course, the team is Williams. They haven’t won much in quite a while, and each year I seem to end my preview posts with a conservative not this year, but maybe next. But they still capture my imagination, even if it does then get a little carried away.

2006 Williams Preview Post

Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head, the main men behind Williams, have been due for a comeback for many years now. Since 1997 (read 1996 really), they haven’t shown dominant championship promise. And despite a flutter of wins here and there, the team appear to be lacking confidence and motivation.

Team Willy aren’t yet championship-winning material, but they have made some big steps over the winter, and should be clawing their way back soon. This year may see a few podiums, and maybe even a win if they are lucky. BlogF1 in 2006.

2007 Williams Preview Post

With Williams admitting the shame of 2006 in front of the world’s media at the FW29 launch in February, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the great British team were on a downward spiral and heading for the back of the grid, forever to run around with the Rossos and Spykers. It was a bad year for Williams, and with only a total of 11 points, the tally equaled that of the team’s first season in Formula One back in 1978. However, Williams were once a formidable force in Formula One, and one day they will be again. The signs of improvement have started to appear in winter testing, and the recent partnering with Toyota should be good for the Grove-based squad.

I would like nothing more than to see a Williams driver step onto the podium again. It won’t be this year though, as the team still have a long way to go. But 2008? Maybe… BlogF1 in 2007.

2008 Williams Preview Post

Williams haven’t won a drivers or constructors championship since 1997. Their last win came in Brazil at the end of the 2004 campaign. As the team start their eleventh season of championship drought, the fourth year of victory drought, a lot of hope is being echoed around the grandstands and online forums that this year will see some better performances. Team owners Frank Williams and Patrick Head must surely wondering when the rain of champagne will fall their way again? However, celebrating 30 years in Formula One as well as a few other landmark statistics being met this season, maybe a bit of luck will land on the plucky privateer’s laps.

All in all, I think 2008 will be a good year for Williams, and hopefully the start of a revival for the team that sparked my interest in the sport many years ago. BlogF1 in 2008.

I should probably stop sealing the squad’s fate by tempting them with the suggestion of improvement each season. I think next year I’ll just say they won’t score a single point and then sit back and watch the results poor in. Maybe…?