FW 29 will beat the TF107

[seppefan]

My prediction in 2007. This would cause many questions to be asked back at Toyota's HQ if Williams were to gain more points.

[K-Pu]

I´d love it to be true.

Time will tell, but Williams have Toyota engines and Toyota won´t like their customer team to beat them. In fact, I think Toyota wouldn´t allow it.

[jens]

Where comes the myth that with Toyota engine Williams would be more competitive than before? Toyota's engine was probably the worst one of 2006 (Cosworth was powerful at least at the first half of the season), but Toyota still clearly managed to beat Williams in points with also a pretty unsuccessful chassis.

Williams's first Jerez test was impressive, but I can't see them doing consistently well throughout the season. At best they'll have a season like in 2006 - point position contenders at the start of the season and then start gradually dropping backwards as teams with larger budgets will get passed.

I personally don't like the opposing of Toyota and Williams. For example I haven't noticed anyone wishing RBR to beat Renault just because they are using the same engine. In fact, if Williams wants to be successful, they have to hope that also Toyota will do well! And that's how they should be treated as well. I'd compare it to Ferrari's and Sauber's performances that were in correlation in previous seasons - Sauber had its best seasons (01, 02, 04) in years when Ferrari was dominating F1. Because engine (and also problems with the homologation at the end of last season) might be Toyota's weakest component this season, but we still have to wait and see. Wishing Williams doing well means wishing them to have a good and reliable engine that was missing last year. And in that case this engine should affect Toyota's performance as well, which can't be ignored.

[wmcot]

I just hope that BOTH teams are competitive this year! I'll also be interested in the Honda - Super Aguri competition. I think that every engine manufacturer that powers more than one team would be smart to share data in order to improve the engines.

[Ian McC]

I think Toyota wouldn´t allow it.

I wouldn't think that would be written into any agreement anywhere.

[ArrowsFA1]

My prediction in 2007. This would cause many questions to be asked back at Toyota's HQ if Williams were to gain more points.
If nothing else Williams might embarrass the 'works' team at times :s mokin:

[VresiBerba]

In fact, I think Toyota wouldn´t allow it.

And how would Toyota stop them?

[luvracin]

In fact, I think Toyota wouldn´t allow it.

I don't think Frank Williams would ever sign a contract that had anything suggesting less than the latest equipment that was equal to the Toyota factory team.

And IF Toyota tried any funny business to cheat him out of the best I think you'd find Frank switching engines pretty damn fast - even if it meant a tearup of the car or going back to 1 year old Cossies.

[VresiBerba]

I don't think Frank Williams would ever sign a contract that had anything suggesting less than the latest equipment that was equal to the Toyota factory team.

I think that Toyota would have some trouble giving anything less to Williams than what they use themselves mostly because of the homologation rules. They would practically have to build a completely different engine for Williams to accomplish that.

[ClarkFan]

I think that Toyota would have some trouble giving anything less to Williams than what they use themselves mostly because of the homologation rules. They would practically have to build a completely different engine for Williams to accomplish that.

Hmmm.....your comment made me think of an interesting prospect. With homologation, each engine manufacturer will only be building one spec of engine, meaning a specialist team buying/leasing engines would get a "works-equivalent" package. Combined with a requirement for engine makers to supply multiple teams (a requirement that I believe does not now exist), that could be a lifeline for privateers.

Frequent readers here know that I am not one of Mosley's fans, but if homologation works out in this manner, he will deserve some credit. Personally, I would prefer for the large auto manufacturers to serve more in the role of engine suppliers than fielding complete teams (see F1 history, 1956-2002). And, for the record, I do not consider Ferrari a large auto manufacturer.

ClarkFan

[BoilerIMS]

If nothing else Williams might embarrass the 'works' team at times :s mokin:

I have wondered whether Toyota corporate would use this as a "get going" message to the Toyota F1 team. If, say, Williams has plenty more points than Toyota halfway it could be a powerful message to the chassis engineers in Cologne.

[DazzlaF1]

Well Williams have looked great at Jerez so far, if they keep this up then i would fancy them to cause a few surprises this season

Especially Wurz, he's been chomping for a drive for way too long and will want to make a good impression.

[futuretiger9]

Williams have rediscovered their hunger after their grim 2006, and are itching to have a go. The chassis looks reasonably effective so far. Whether Toyota engines was the way to go, well the jury is still out on that one.

I certainly would not rule out Williams outperforming Toyota in 2007. Williams are still very much a "race team", quick on their feet and, whilst the cliche about the Toyota corporate monolith may still hold true. Toyota have simply got to start producing REAL results.

[eloyf1]

I'd wanted to believe you, but Williams only can go worse and worse... It reminds me to Tyrrell's last years, sadly... If young people entered to the team, Williams might survive some years, but the end of Historic Independent Teams (McLaren included...) is next...

[sonic_roadhog]

I think that Toyota would have some trouble giving anything less to Williams than what they use themselves mostly because of the homologation rules. They would practically have to build a completely different engine for Williams to accomplish that.

and I for one would expect them to do exactly that! When the long life engine rule was introduced the same thing was said and that the engine builders would have to supply the same engine to their customer teams to avoid huge costs - but thats exactly what they did. Customer teams will always play second fiddle to a works team and Frank and co are certainly old enough and wise enough to know that.
Which is why I believe they have built a stonking car this year and will put on over Toyota even with an inferior engine.

Here's hoping anyway

Sonic :)