Williams' $4.5M Colapinto Gamble Sparks Schumacher Family Criticism
Aug.29 - Franco Colapinto's backers are paying Williams $4.5 million - or $500,000 per race - so the Argentinean rookie can immediately replace Logan Sargeant.
Red Bull reportedly turned down the price-tag to place Liam Lawson in the cockpit, while the Argentine newspaper La Nacion believes Williams did not even talk to the Mick Schumacher camp.
Mick's uncle Ralf slammed Williams' decision.
"You can perhaps respect this decision because Colapinto is a driver from Williams' junior program," Ralf Schumacher told DPA news agency. "But I think it is absurd and makes no sense from a performance perspective.
"I think the risk for the racing team and also the driver is much, much higher than if they had put someone with experience like Mick in," he added.
As for the reported millions Williams will now collect from Colapinto's financiers, Schumacher insists there is "no amount in the world" that could justify a decision based on anything other than performance.
"You also have to be fair and admit that it simply took Mick too long in his second season at Haas to find his feet and get his teammate under control," Ralf added. "Formula 1 is unforgiving."
Reports suggest that Colapinto's funding is coming from the Argentine automobile club, and sponsors Mercado Libre, Globant, Quilmes, YPF and others.
"Once again, Argentina is showing that it can compete with the best," said Globant co-founder Guibert Englebienne. "We already knew it, now the world will know - Franco Colapinto, you're a genius."
As for the ousted American Sargeant, he broke his silence on the situation on Wednesday, declaring: "For now, I will be taking time to assess my options, before making an announcement on my future in due course."
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Looks like pay per drive raises its head again and once again it's Williams. I really don't see what he's done to deserve a seat in the ultimate car race series. This will end in tears.
P Maldanardo Oil company money
N Latifi Family money/oil company money
L Sargent Family money/oil company money
And now Franko Cocacolas sponsors paying for his drive
And your suprized..!
Oh yeah i forgot you dont do history do you.
To my understanding, only family money, if anything, for Latifi & Sargeant.
Does he really also have such sponsors that make the so-called 'pay driver' term applicable as generally defined.
Who really knows, but theres enough of a suggestion there, and its not been unusual for sponsors to cough up for a drive, i think EJ was well known for , lets call it , persuading sponsors to pay-to-drive
Either sponsors of family money , its still buying the drive
According to yesterday's interview with James Vowles, Franco Colapinto is on a "shoe string budget" and does not bring money to the team. Do we believe media supposition, or the word of the Williams CEO?
Also revealed by Vowles, Franco has been given the opportunity because he is from the Williams Junior Team, and Red Bull would not release Lawson. Further, Vowles indicated that a number of Argentinian companies have since shown interest in getting their names on the Williams cars, but nothing existing at the moment.
Of course, I always believe relevant individuals over third-parties.
I think Williams are shouting quite loud about this, to loud i say- they are owned by a money company afterall.... the No 2 driver at Williams has always been for quite a few yrs a money drive, we know it , the press know it,and James V knows it, if the Dorilton Bod member at grove says---sign one thatll bring a few Mill its only till the end of the season.... JV will do as hes told, and spin a version of events to the media that try and take a WilliamsBoss/team away from that image,So why are the media jumping on this then , if its not a paid by sponsors drive,Same situation with Latifis drive, all of a sudden Sofina appears on the cars and for that privilage 10M appears in the Williams accounts but lets have a history lesson , who did Ron Dennis try and get/got to pay for the return of Nigel to the Mcl cars?
Um, Rothman's?
Marlboro were said to be asked for either 500k or a 1M to pay Niges wages
per race
Let's not lose sight of the Schumacher's getting all bent out of shape. So, Williams wasn't interested in their money?
The days where raw talent got you a seat in F1 are simply gone. The Red Bull Drivers Academy, Mercedes has something similar - as does Ferrari. No one gets into one of those spots without a little bit of talent and a lot of money from Mom and Dad - or their rich friends - or the sponsors that Mom and Dad nurtured over the years of karting et al.
I suspect ALL drivers are bringing money to the table these days. And that is a bad thing. What is the budget cap for an F1 team these days - $400,000,000? That's the GDP of most Banana Republics'. Drivers' interviews are a droll affair where they are all PC out the hoop and don't show any real emotion.
I think it was more fun to watch privateers like Ken Tyrell and Frank Williams trot out their latest designs and have their Jockey's thrash them around the courses. Sir Jackie was my fav, a close second was Niki Lauda.
With armies of highly talented engineers wringing every last gram of performance out of the collection of systems called a "car" these days, it IS fascinating to watch. I mean, 225 mph at Monza? -5 G's under braking, 5 G cornering, 2.5 - 3 g's acceleration. That is approaching fighter-jet levels of acceleration. And it all costs money.
Overseeing this are the bloated ranks of FIA officialdom Hell-bent on regulating out the last scraps of 'fun' we viewers can muster.
All the while, track-side, Liberty Media is clamoring for ever more money and control and making some events simply grotesque (i.e. Las Vegas). What's the cost of a ticket to a race these days, anyway? Point to this rant, is money has overtaken the sport. Personalities are rarely notable - unless it's a sniper like Jos or Dr. Frankenstein.
Here's a novel idea: what about a spec chassis and tires, no DRS, fueling stops and the drivers actually have to drive to survive.
Those of us who were fortunate enough to have seen the days when you achieved a drive in F1 by ability, rather than the size of your wallet, are somewhat dismayed that F1 is being turned into the debacle it has now become. People like Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren, who not only drove the cars that bore their name but they also designed and built them, sadly are a bygone era. Now it's all about how much money you bring to a team and drivers have little or no input into an F1 car's design. One thing that amazes me is the ever expanding numbers in pit crew members, and also the top heavy management of F1 administration. Too many hangers-on and would-be-if-they-could-be's!
Personally, I refuse to watch Las Vegas, because I honestly believe it detracts from the whole concept of what F1 is about. Las Vegas is just used by Liberty as a Hollywood extravangza to promote little known American entertainers who are a legend in their own lunch time! Too much glitter and BS trying to take the spotlight away from the teams and drivers of F1.
As for personalities, in my book Jos and the mad Doc don't rate. They promote hostility and antagonism in the F1 paddock and the media! I rate Kimi Raikkonen as the last personality who was good for F1 ~ leave me alone, I know what I am doing! He said it as it was!
As for your novel idea, isn't that Indycar? I'm not a fan of refuelling stops, because of the high fire risk.
Good question , why was LV chosen as the venue? Can I be cynical and think $$$ and captive audiences to spend more $$$, as for personalities , I miss Ron Dennis in the paddock, It is true the cars are more like computers than raging bulls which is why 18yr kids can drive them fast, when the drivers exit the cars ay 98% of races and dont even look like theyve raced for 20mins , that just seems kinda wrong to me
What rant, i see no rant,just passion for the sport you carry on, its not an issue