Bundy wrote:Now I'm not suggesting if he struggles he will be booted. He is a much better driver than most in the F1 paddock but if he does struggle his value will fall dramatically. His value stagnated last year, he needs another good year so people will take notice. MUST finish top 3 or 4.
What is a shame is that Formula 1, for some drivers, is such a "do-it-now" thing. Webber and Alonso really impressed me in the Minardi. As their stocks rose, both continued to impress. The difference is the Renault was coming good when Alonso signed on. His attitude and talent were the last pieces of the puzzle Renault needed to win the WC.
The Williams has not been a really strong package since Adrian Newey left in 1996! Also, Mark seems like a really decent kind of cat. The Williams team only responds to a-hole types or drivers with really strong personalities like Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, and Nigel Mansell. Damon Hill is the lone exception. Carlos Reutemann was within sight of a championship and quit. Alain Prost could've won 2 or 3 championships with Williams, but he quit after 1 year. Ayrton Senna, of course, perished in a Williams. All of their other drivers were decent amiable sorts like Clay Reggazoni, Derek Daly, Jacques Laffitte, Ricardo Patrese, Thierry Boutsen, Alex Zanardi, Heinz-Harold Frentzen, Ralf Schumacher, and Nick Heidfeld. Non of these guys realized their full potential with the Williams team.
Hopefully, Mark Webber won't be the baby tossed out with the bath water which is what Williams has become.