F1Rejects.com

by **eagleash** » 17 Jan 2012, 22:20

Rubens has just tweeted that he won't be driving for Williams in 2012. Wishes Bruno all the best & says "the future is wide open". Seems he still hopes for a drive somewhere. HRT (or anyone) could do worse.
No official announcement as yet re Williams though.

by **golic_2004** » 17 Jan 2012, 22:22

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97056

Senna in. Barrichello out.

by **James1978** » 17 Jan 2012, 22:23

So Bruno only has to drive for McLaren now to have driven for all the same teams as his uncle.......(OK cheating a bit with last year's Renault being both JPS Lotus-Renault and Toleman all in one)!

by **East Londoner** » 17 Jan 2012, 22:35

Damn and blast! A Maldonado/Senna lineup gives me hardly any hope for WIlliams this year

Website · by **Wizzie** » 17 Jan 2012, 22:37

East Londoner wrote:Damn and blast! A Maldonado/Senna lineup gives me hardly any hope for WIlliams this year

Sadly, I have to agree with you

by **DanielPT** » 17 Jan 2012, 22:58

Wizzie wrote:
East Londoner wrote:Damn and blast! A Maldonado/Senna lineup gives me hardly any hope for WIlliams this year

Sadly, I have to agree with you

I am optimistic guy and I believe Senna will show is good true colours in an Williams. And not being satisfied in losing an idiotic bet (Schumacher winning... pffff) I will make another and say that Senna will become unrejectified next year!

Anyway, it seems the mole was absolutely spot on!

by **Enforcer** » 17 Jan 2012, 23:10

Lose/Lose for Senna. He must really want to be in F1. If he constantly outpaces the Reverend, people will dismiss the Reverend as just a pay driver, say that Senna should be beating him and not give him any credit for it. But if the Reverend outpaces him once or twice it'll be "OMG! Senna's shite! Even Maldonado's faster than him! Disgrace to the name!!! Etc. etc."

Unless this year's Williams is a considerably better car than last year's. Won't hold my breath though.

by **IdeFan** » 17 Jan 2012, 23:29

Wizzie wrote:
East Londoner wrote:Damn and blast! A Maldonado/Senna lineup gives me hardly any hope for WIlliams this year

Sadly, I have to agree with you

Thirded.

Williams are slowly going the way of Tyrrell and Lotus.

by **Pointrox** » 18 Jan 2012, 00:19

I, on the other part, believe that Senna will prove himself...
...or fade to rejectity, along with The Reverend and Williams.

And - to be honest - I hope that Rubens will join HRT and will take part in his 20th consecutive season in Formula One

by **Faustus** » 18 Jan 2012, 00:43

I think Senna might do alright for himself and for Williams. I certainly hope so anyway.

I wasn't supportive of Barrichello for the past couple of years and I still think he should have retired at the end of 2009, with a 3rd place in the drivers' championship and 2 wins. He could have retired at the top of sport and be counted as an excellent driver. Instead, he lingered on for 2 years and achieved not a hell of a lot. However, I think it is a complete and utter shame to see the most experienced driver in the sport and one who has experienced so much of the sport in 19 years to just fade away like this. At least he should have officially retired in Brazil at his home race and had a big celebration, with his home crowd and the whole Formula 1 paddock acknowledging him and what he has achieved. Instead, we get this, which is nothing and in no way worthy a driver of his calibre and experience.

by **Cynon** » 18 Jan 2012, 01:02

Williams + 2 Crap Drivers = Hilarity. I'm eagerly awaiting the carbon fiber shards and Caterham cars overtaking them.

by **Eryx** » 18 Jan 2012, 02:16

Im sorry but this is pointless....a pointless pick...Senna brings money and a name...Where as Sutil or Barrichello will bring POINTS. . .Senna just hasnt proven himself to me....on any level....granted he got into Q3 a few times but one in 8 times did he score points. . .Where as Petrov finished in the points 8 times. . .scored a bloody podium in 1 of them and finished just behind Sutil in the standings. . .Sutil Petrov or Barrichello is the logical choice. . .Personally i think Rubenos career is over. . . which is a real ....real shame....because i would love for him to get 1 last win. . .or just 1 last stern performance. . .where he got points.....Petrov will get a seat next year if not the HRT seat. . .as he has MONEY. . .and Sutil....is sort of on a slippery slope....if he is found guilty of the shanghai incident he maybe banned from China which for when the Chinese GP might be a big issue. . .i doubt a team will want to hire someone who cant show upto a GP. But like everything we await to see. . . . I hope Petrov gets the last HRT seat. . .

by **Ferrim** » 18 Jan 2012, 02:31

I'd like to point out the fact that, if I'm not very much mistaken, Tyrrell never employed two "pay drivers" at the same time. And maybe there was some race in '94 when Lotus did, but apart from that they never did either.

That said, I think both Maldonado and Senna have some talent, and they have some experience at the wheel of F1 cars. I rate both higher than Nakajima, and I think the problems for Williams won't come from the driving side. After all, Maldonado was the only Williams driver who managed to make the Q3 cut last season.

by **mario** » 18 Jan 2012, 03:12

Ferrim wrote:I'd like to point out the fact that, if I'm not very much mistaken, Tyrrell never employed two "pay drivers" at the same time. And maybe there was some race in '94 when Lotus did, but apart from that they never did either.

That said, I think both Maldonado and Senna have some talent, and they have some experience at the wheel of F1 cars. I rate both higher than Nakajima, and I think the problems for Williams won't come from the driving side. After all, Maldonado was the only Williams driver who managed to make the Q3 cut last season.

It's true that Bruno Senna is at least a better cut of pay driver compared to Nakajima (at least Bruno Senna managed to win a few races in GP2 for example, which is something that Nakajima didn't manage). That said, the comments by Gillan (the operations engineer at Williams) do suggest that Sutil might have been the preferred candidate at Williams before Lux's lawsuit; at the very least he confirmed that Williams did evaluate Sutil.

"I don't want to specifically talk about individual drivers, but Adrian was in our plans. However, based on everything that was laid out, Bruno for me and the team was the best way forward."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97058
Maybe it is just me, but the way he phrased that ("Adrian was in our plans") does make it sound as if Williams had started planning how they'd organise the team around Sutil (at least hypothetically).

by **fjackdaw** » 18 Jan 2012, 03:13

Eryx wrote:Im sorry but this is pointless....a pointless pick...Senna brings money and a name...Where as Sutil or Barrichello will bring POINTS. . .Senna just hasnt proven himself to me....on any level....granted he got into Q3 a few times but one in 8 times did he score points. . .Where as Petrov finished in the points 8 times. . .scored a bloody podium in 1 of them and finished just behind Sutil in the standings. . .Sutil Petrov or Barrichello is the logical choice. . .Personally i think Rubenos career is over. . . which is a real ....real shame....because i would love for him to get 1 last win. . .or just 1 last stern performance. . .where he got points.....Petrov will get a seat next year if not the HRT seat. . .as he has MONEY. . .and Sutil....is sort of on a slippery slope....if he is found guilty of the shanghai incident he maybe banned from China which for when the Chinese GP might be a big issue. . .i doubt a team will want to hire someone who cant show upto a GP. But like everything we await to see. . . . I hope Petrov gets the last HRT seat. . .

Your writing style reminds me of the black kid in the wheelchair in Malcolm In The Middle... always having to... gasp for... breath.

I reckon both Senna and Maldonada, while not setting the world on fire, could actually do okay.

by **Ross Prawn** » 18 Jan 2012, 03:20

fjackdaw wrote:
I reckon both Senna and Maldonada, while not setting the world on fire, could actually do okay.

I think thats exactly the point. What credible F1 team employs drivers who 'while not setting the world on fire, could actually do okay' ? Compare with the attitude at Toro Rosso.

by **CoopsII** » 18 Jan 2012, 03:25

Pointrox wrote:I, on the other part, believe that Senna will prove himself...
...or fade to rejectity, along with The Reverend and Williams.

Williams' place in the history books is secure, Rejectification is not a worry for them. I agree with you that Rubens signing off with a HRT flourish would be sensational, fingers crossed!

by **DanielPT** » 18 Jan 2012, 03:53

CoopsII wrote:
Pointrox wrote:I, on the other part, believe that Senna will prove himself...
...or fade to rejectity, along with The Reverend and Williams.

Williams' place in the history books is secure, Rejectification is not a worry for them. I agree with you that Rubens signing off with a HRT flourish would be sensational, fingers crossed!

If Rubens signs for HRT, then classifying a car/chassis of being geriatric will never have made more sense in the history of F1.

by **James1978** » 18 Jan 2012, 04:25

Ferrim wrote:I'd like to point out the fact that, if I'm not very much mistaken, Tyrrell never employed two "pay drivers" at the same time. And maybe there was some race in '94 when Lotus did, but apart from that they never did either.

I don't think Lotus did - they had Johnny Herbert for every race up to Portugal and he definitely wasn't one, they had Zanardi and Bernard for Jerez and Zanardi and Salo for Japan and Australia. Pretty sure none of them were play drivers, even if Bernard only drove for them as Ligier had kicked him out (similar to Moreno driving for Jordan in Italy and Portugal '91).

by **Minardi Man** » 18 Jan 2012, 05:14

I know that testing does not work the way it used to unfortunately nowadays, but what are the chances of Senna perhaps bringing some knowledge about lotus's new gimmick along with him?
Did he ever drive a car with that system on?

by **East Londoner** » 18 Jan 2012, 05:16

James1978 wrote:
Ferrim wrote:I'd like to point out the fact that, if I'm not very much mistaken, Tyrrell never employed two "pay drivers" at the same time. And maybe there was some race in '94 when Lotus did, but apart from that they never did either.

I don't think Lotus did - they had Johnny Herbert for every race up to Portugal and he definitely wasn't one, they had Zanardi and Bernard for Jerez and Zanardi and Salo for Japan and Australia. Pretty sure none of them were play drivers, even if Bernard only drove for them as Ligier had kicked him out (similar to Moreno driving for Jordan in Italy and Portugal '91).

Was Tora Takagi a pay driver, in the accepted sense of the term on this site? Because, if he was, then Tyrrell's last season (although it was Tyrrell in name-only form), they could have had two pay drivers, the other of course being Ricardo Rosset/Tosser...

by **fjackdaw** » 18 Jan 2012, 05:25

Ross Prawn wrote:
fjackdaw wrote:
I reckon both Senna and Maldonada, while not setting the world on fire, could actually do okay.

I think thats exactly the point. What credible F1 team employs drivers who 'while not setting the world on fire, could actually do okay' ? Compare with the attitude at Toro Rosso.

Williams last year?

by **FullMetalJack** » 18 Jan 2012, 05:36

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FRANK!!!!!!

I'll settle for double figures this season for Williams. I can't see either driver bringing in many points, Rubens shown he was clearly still capable, I would have kept him.

by **DOSBoot** » 18 Jan 2012, 05:41

Frank chose Senna over Barrachello? This deserves a big NOOOOOOO!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eal4fep7 ... re=related

by **Ataxia** » 18 Jan 2012, 05:49

I think Senna might do well. As everyone's consigned Williams to financial meltdown, the pressure's off him slightly. He might yet be focal point the team needs to push forwards. He deserves his chance, as he's barely had one (a year at HRT and being drafted into Heidfeld's seat when the Renault was off the boil isn't much to go on.)

Rubens hasn't really got anything to prove now. He was in for the love of the sport (commendable, of course) but there's the question of whether he was hungry enough to really get the team going. Bruno has a point to prove to all the doubters, and Williams likewise. This can work.

by **Ferrim** » 18 Jan 2012, 05:57

East Londoner wrote:
James1978 wrote:
Ferrim wrote:I'd like to point out the fact that, if I'm not very much mistaken, Tyrrell never employed two "pay drivers" at the same time. And maybe there was some race in '94 when Lotus did, but apart from that they never did either.

I don't think Lotus did - they had Johnny Herbert for every race up to Portugal and he definitely wasn't one, they had Zanardi and Bernard for Jerez and Zanardi and Salo for Japan and Australia. Pretty sure none of them were play drivers, even if Bernard only drove for them as Ligier had kicked him out (similar to Moreno driving for Jordan in Italy and Portugal '91).

Was Tora Takagi a pay driver, in the accepted sense of the term on this site? Because, if he was, then Tyrrell's last season (although it was Tyrrell in name-only form), they could have had two pay drivers, the other of course being Ricardo Rosset/Tosser...

Yes, you're right. What happened is that I started to think about Tyrrell drivers up to and including 1997, and I didn't even think about 1998, when effectively they were just racing under the Tyrrell name, just like Jordan in 2005.

by **Priceless** » 18 Jan 2012, 06:06

BaconLettuceNinja wrote:I think Senna might do well. As everyone's consigned Williams to financial meltdown, the pressure's off him slightly. He might yet be focal point the team needs to push forwards. He deserves his chance, as he's barely had one (a year at HRT and being drafted into Heidfeld's seat when the Renault was off the boil isn't much to go on.)

Rubens hasn't really got anything to prove now. He was in for the love of the sport (commendable, of course) but there's the question of whether he was hungry enough to really get the team going. Bruno has a point to prove to all the doubters, and Williams likewise. This can work.

I agree. While from a conservative standpoint keeping Barrichello would be the most sound choice for Williams, on the same grounds Barrichello himself was retained for 2009 by Brawn when Honda folded, Bruno is the one with a point to prove, and it seems this time he'll have his real chance. I personally think he deserved it (even though cash may have been the real deciding factor), but... on the other hand, if he messes up the only thing that will prove is "the critics were right". I think that it will be very interesting to see how it plays out.

by **shinji** » 18 Jan 2012, 06:29

Oh, this won't end well for either party. Williams again seem to be content to potter along in their slide to irrelevance.

by **Jocke1** » 18 Jan 2012, 06:41

I'm glad Imola is not on the calendar. That would have been strange.

by **Ubik** » 18 Jan 2012, 08:01

I suspect the smattering of points that will come Williams' way this year will be more through luck than design - and it will make very little difference whether Barrichello or Senna is in the seat.

I think the decision is down to marketability (assuming such a word exists).

"Hello Mr. Potential Sponsor, fancy investing in my racing team?"

"Maybe, who are your drivers?"

"Well one of them is an ambitious young chap, nice teeth, lovely hair and happens to be the nephew of the legendary Aryton Senna. He'd look great wearing your fabulous new watch."

"Oooh, sounds interesting....and the other chap?"

"Well, he's a 40 year old, balding, emasculated wingman who's retirement is perennially imminent."

"Ahh...."

by **eurobrun** » 18 Jan 2012, 08:17

golic_2004 wrote:http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97056

Senna in. Barrichello out.

Klon will really like this.

by **WeirdKerr** » 18 Jan 2012, 08:57

Am i the only one, who, on hearing(heard it on bbc radio 1) that senna had signed for williams, had a sharp tingle/shiver down the spine..... or was it just me....?

by **Myrvold** » 18 Jan 2012, 12:12

Nah, but every time I've seen Senna has signed for any team, or signed to race, I always become very happy. It's the same with Jacques Villeneuve actually...

by **Klon** » 18 Jan 2012, 15:08

Denial, Anger & Bargaining were dealt with in recent months. Depression was a part of yesterday's evening, leaving only Acceptance. And really, once you think about it Senna is the best option, Williams won't gain any attention by their results, so they need (supposedly) big names to distract from their inevitable fate as eternal midfielders.

by **Cynon** » 18 Jan 2012, 16:16

shinji wrote:Oh, this won't end well for either party. Williams again seem to be content to potter along in their slide to irrelevance.

When was the last season Williams were actually relevant? By relevant, I mean anything other than a boring midfield team? 2003?

Frankly, I might actually like Williams if they're one of the trash teams at the back of the grid way off the pace. In Caterham/HRT/Marussia territory, I mean...

by **Klon** » 18 Jan 2012, 16:17

Cynon wrote:When was the last season Williams were actually relevant? By relevant, I mean anything other than a boring midfield team? 2003?

2004. See, after Ralf Schumacher left Williams ceased to be good. Hmmm... 8-)

by **BlindCaveSalamander** » 18 Jan 2012, 17:31

Klon wrote:
Cynon wrote:When was the last season Williams were actually relevant? By relevant, I mean anything other than a boring midfield team? 2003?

2004. See, after Ralf Schumacher left Williams ceased to be good. Hmmm...

Then again, you can say the same about Juan Pablo Montoya...

by **CoopsII** » 18 Jan 2012, 17:37

James1978 wrote: I don't think Lotus did.

Hideki Nodo replaced Zanardi and drove at the Pacific GP ( I think) and he did so through sponsorship.

by **CoopsII** » 18 Jan 2012, 17:51

Anybody else relieved we dont have Imola on the calendar for next year? Ive now idea how Brunos head works regarding You Know What but the media pressure over that weekend would've been appalling.

by **Klon** » 18 Jan 2012, 18:01

CoopsII wrote:Anybody else relieved we dont have Imola on the calendar for next year? Ive now idea how Brunos head works regarding You Know What but the media pressure over that weekend would've been appalling.

I wouldn't have any sympathy for him at all if it were the case. He choose to leech off his famous name so he has to deal with that.

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