The High Cost Of Principle
Written by George Katinger · August 31, 2005
Frank Williams has stated that Jenson Button will drive for his team in 2006; he signed an airtight contract and Jenson was not available at any price, it’s a matter of honor and principle. Well, we now know the price of principle, don’t we.
f1action.com: Would $90 million change Sir Frank’s mind on Button?
skysports.com: Williams: Jenson can stay
itv-f1.com: DAVIDSON: I’VE EARNED THE RIGHT TO RACE
Is there any sharper business mind in F1 than Frank Williams? I think not, and his handling of “Buttongate II” should be a prerequisite study in any college business curriculum. Sooner or later Frank was bound to drop a number that would sooth his financial as well as personal issues with the loss of Jenson. After all there is no wound, financial or otherwise, that mounds of cash won’t heal. And Frank has now exposed the depth of his injury and the cost for his cure.
Ultimately what does Frank hope to get out of this deal? I think something a lot less than the $90 million requested. I suspect he wants Anthony Davidson’s drive paid, his Cosworth engine contract funded, as well as compensation for his wounded pride over having lost Jenson to BAR last year in “Buttongate I”. Frank wanted Ant last year when he lost out on the Jenson tug of war, but BAR wisely denied his services to use as bait for this year.
Davidson’s contract is up, and he is available to any team. Rumors of drives at Midland are reported, but given that choice he’d be a fool not to take a Williams seat. Williams have said they need an English driver to satisfy sponsor commitments, and Ant has done a spectacular job at BAR testing and developing car setups. Which, I further believe, may be a vital missing ingredient in Williams’ floundering this year. So Davidson would satisfy many needs on Team Williams next year.
What staggers the mind is the cost BAR are willing to front to keep a driver who hasn’t won a damn thing as yet. Plenty of podiums but nary a victory in sight. Maybe Button will justify the high price by bagging his first win in the remaining races, but the cost still sounds prohibitive.
Note to Max Mosley: (remember him, he of “the sport can’t afford to keep spending like this” school of thought?) If BAR Honda are willing to invest this kind of cash ($90 million to Williams, plus another $90 million over five years to Jenson) how broke can the sport be? Or is it truly a sign of the apocalypse about to descend? In lieu of trying to control costs by over regulating car/engine design formulae, get to the root of all evil, the money teams spend on exhorbitant driver salaries and endless testing.
Honda and Toyota are directly responsible for destroying open wheel racing in the U.S. by outspending anyone who dares to challenge. They contributed to the demise of CART when staying there no longer suited them, and they have a similar strangle hold on the IRL. It would appear that they will now take the lead in a similar effort in F1, and BMW, Mercedes, and Ferrari will have no choice but to up the ante or bale out.
Comments
3 Responses to “The High Cost Of Principle”
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I have always thought that Frank could be bought on this matter.However,I had assumed that BAR could not, or would not be prepared to, pay a figure that would satisfy Williams.”The price of the bride” may be so high that the wedding may be called off & Jenson could face a year on the sidelines as a fiance in waiting for BAR 2007.
The offer that BAR has made to retain Jenson makes me wonder how good BAR management think he really is.I’m not suggesting that he is not talented, but is he worth that much? & he is the same guy who would have willingly shafted them last season had he been able to.
I wonder what price(OR DEAL)Frank is holding out for? Make the little bastard sweat Frank & squeeze BAR for every drop! How ironic,Honda may be funding a Cosworth engine next year.
526363
Your Web site is potentially the best available for news about road racing. Trouble is, it does not display properly on some computers (such as my iMac). It requires scrolling to the right
I wish that BAR should not hold Jenson because he was the person who felt very uncomfortable with them. I dont think that he is worth that kind of money that is roumered. There is already a talent available with them in antony davidson who can double up his testing duties as well. Should nick think about the money they can invest on some better upgraditon of their equipment