Wurz to replace Webber!!!!!

[sudhi_m]

WOW! Shocking news this morning.
http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=126142

Williams today announced that it has appointed Alex Wurz and Nico Rosberg as the team's race drivers for 2007. That means the team has not taken an option on the services of Mark Webber for the upcoming season.

Commenting on today's contract confirmations, WilliamsF1's Team Principal, Frank Williams said, "2006 has been a pretty tough season so far and all three of our drivers have proved to be enormously resilient and committed. However, we are seeing the beginnings of a performance upswing which we are determined to maintain. Together with our recent announcement regarding our Toyota engine partnership, we are starting to put in place some of the cornerstones of a competitive team for the rest of this season
and into the future."

In relation to Alex's appointment, Frank said, "Alex brings us important technical continuity and understanding of the car and as well as being an excellent communicator with our engineers, he is ultra-competitive during the Friday 'full tank' practice sessions.

Alex will be a great racing driver for us as he is one of the few men I have seen in a wheel banging confrontation with Michael Schumacher and come out on top!"

Williams continued, "Retaining Nico for next year was not a tough decision. He has shown great promise so far in his debut season and I know he will build on this with every race. As much as taking great pleasure in confirming Alex and Nico for next season, I must also commend Mark Webber for his contribution to the team over the past two seasons as he has been a credit to himself and Williams and has never let up in his pursuit of competitive success. I know Mark will give his all until the end of the season and we wish him well in his future arrangements."

Alex Wurz responded to his appointment with delight. "My natural habitat is racing, so I couldn't be happier to have received Williams' vote of confidence for this job next season. Of course I know the team well having been a part of the race programme at every Grand Prix this season, but now my role takes on additional responsibility and I am really looking forward to this."

For his part, Nico Rosberg said, "Stability and continuity are very important for me in the early stages of my Formula One career, so I am really pleased that we are now set for next year and that I will continue to work with Alex. I have learnt a lot from the team and I hope I have contributed my fair share too, but now we have the basis to step it up for the remainder of this season and next."

Firstly, what does this mean for NK? He most likely becomes 3rd driver(not that it will mean much next year).
Secondly, where is Webber going? Im guessing most probably BMW. Some chance at RBR too.

[Amarnath]

He most likely becomes 3rd driver(not that it will mean much next year).

well atleast he will be a regular in the off season testing and incase anything happens to the main drivers he will stepin( i have a feeling that Wruz will be rusty after all these years of testing and SFW may get tired of him real soon)

[Vas]

I was shocked to see the news this morning. I was there till 2100 hrs GMT browsing the internet and how I missed this I dont know.

I feel Webber had a deal with Renaults or McLaren. Flavio Briatore being his manager could possibly positioned him in Renaults. He may pair Fisi as per reports.

Franck Williams is a man who wil postpone selecting drivers to the last moment and if he has come with the team for 2007 this early means that Webber announcement should be on the cards. It is better for Williams to go and make their team announcement before Webber announces his decision to race with whatever team.

Another report suggest that McLaren driver Kimi is sure for Ferrari and pair MS in 2007.

That leaves Massa and Webber in the cold. Massa ..... no news of him.

About NK I am not sure the team has not come out with any information on future role of NK. What I feel NK has to wait for a long time to get to know whether he is there in the team or not.

One more think is that if Wurz and Webber can find a good future at 31, NK too can hope to get something for himself.

So for media is speculating that MS will race in 2007. What if MS wins 8th title? He may opt for retirement! Nobody is speaking about that!

[sandyf1]

Webber leaving Williams was in expected lines, but passing the Race driver baton to AW is slightly a suprise. SFW is on a Cost Control Measure, the drivers are asked to reduce the pay. NK is willing to continue with williams and even ready to get his pay cut.

When NK signed the 2 year deal with Williams both have a cluase that either NK or williams are free to leave or layoff after one year.

But I dont think his 4th driver duties did any justice for NK's talent. Williams also did not give as much of oppurtunities may be the deal itself could had mentioned limited duties.

Let's see if he could continue be in F1 in 2007

[sudhi_m]

Guys lets arrange a little "accident" for Wurz at the last minute, then NK will definitely race!!  :lol:

[Vas]

Guys lets arrange a little "accident" for Wurz at the last minute, then NK will definitely race!!  :lol:

Hope Wurz falls when skiing in his home town and break his foot no no let us be generous ..he breaks his neck :ROTFL: and then NK takes over form him....

Are we sure NK will be a third driver in Williams?! Where is NK?

[vpk]

I had predicted this , now Webber to Renault......
As Flavo is Renault's  chief.
    What about NK , is he sleeping ?
no comments from his side about next year .
NK 's  chance if any of  Wurz or Nico gets injured  , very low!!!

[Vas]

Franck has confirmed that the confirmation of Wurz is a consequence of Webber's decision not to continue. And Williams has hinted that Webber is moving to a team which Webber expects to put him in the top of the grid!

Good lucky break for Webber and a very honest reply.

The lightening way he confirmed the race driver's, will Franck do the same in regard to test driver?!

[vpk]

SFW said that  Williams would decide  testdriver in two months may be  because that  NK may have asked for time to take decision.
    If he doesn't find race seat then  main test Driver is the best thing for NK .
    He should be a major  contender for this slot .

[sudhi_m]

The news channels here in Australia are saying that it is most likely RBR. Dont know how reliable their source is. Ofcourse the news reporting here is highly biased towards Webber, couple of days ago they said Renault and McLaren are "fighting for Webber"!! Ofcourse thats just ludicrous - in my opinion Webber is not that talented a driver that Macca and Renault would fight for him.
Anyway, with a possiblity of Renault supplying engines to RBR - Flavio might well have said, these engines come with a guy called Webber!  :wink:
Anyway lets wait for the official confirmation.

[Vas]

The news channels here in Australia are saying that it is most likely RBR. Dont know how reliable their source is.

Who will be kicked out DC or Klien?

Confirm Webber drinks RedBull? :ROTFL:

[Amarnath]

RBR have clearly stated that they are not satisfied with Klien. so they will replace him

[Go_Narain]

Yeah from whats going around it seems that Kimi will drive for Ferarri (alongside______?), Hekki is gonna take his seat at Renault alongside Fisichella (maybe Hekki's contract included the race drive clause for 2007). Even Fisichella hinted sometime back that his co-driver will be a Finn  :wink: . Macca will not take Mark (Falvio being his manager). All this leads Mark to Redbull alongside David.

Having said that I know that drivers who are not as good as Mark are driving betta cars, then this if F1 politics.

Anyways good luck for Mark.

[Vas]

Yeah from whats going around it seems that Kimi will drive for Ferarri (alongside__ ??),

The dash means a lot!  MS if he wins his 8th title may opt for retirement?! The Massa can be in place of MS along with Kimi in 2007.

But are U sure Kimi will go for Ferrari knowing the Ferrari's culture.

Further more MS and co are all in praise of Massa. Only way out is to make Massa accept third driver role for a year untill MS retires. Massa will readily accept that too. Ferrari is too good a team to miss!

Hekki is gonna take his seat at Renault alongside Fisichella (maybe Hekki's contract included the race drive clause for 2007). Even Fisichella hinted sometime back that his co-driver will be a Finn  :wink: .

Flavio made some good noise over hiring Kimi... Who knows Fisi might have quoted Kimi rather than Hekki!

Macca will not take Mark (Falvio being his manager). All this leads Mark to Redbull alongside David.

Having said that I know that drivers who are not as good as Mark are driving betta cars, then this if F1 politics.

Anyways good luck for Mark.

RBR have clearly stated that they are not satisfied with Klien. so they will replace him

May be RedBull. Sometimes  things are getting clear and when you feel U R sure things again becomes hazy... As I said biggest show on earth is the F1 driver market than the race itself. :Duh:

[Amarnath]

As I said biggest show on earth is the F1 driver market than the race itself.

Soo true :lol:  :lol: