Williams confirm Jenson Button for 2005 [Archive] - Biante Model Cars

teambrock50

06-08-2004, 08:39 AM

BMW Williams confirmed late Thursday that Jenson Button has signed for the team for the 2005 season and beyond. The signing reflects 'a strong and long-term relationship between Jenson Button and the team' and completes the teamâ€™s driver line-up into the medium term, following the recent signing of Mark Webber.

â€œThere has been a long-term relationship between the BMW WilliamsF1 Team and Jenson, indeed his Formula One career started with the team in 2000," explained Frank Williams. "We have maintained that relationship until the present day, and I am delighted that one of the most talented drivers in Formula One has accepted the opportunity to return to the team.â€?

For his part, Jenson commented on the agreement that, â€œI am very pleased that I had the option to re-join the BMW WilliamsF1 Team where my Formula One career started. For the meantime, the 2004 season has my full focus and attention. Beyond this, I have every confidence that the massive investment in resources and the depth of talent at WilliamsF1 and BMW provides the best platform for my future ambitions to be a World Champion.â€?

Button joined the BMW WilliamsF1 Team just after his 20th birthday from British Formula 3, and validated Frank Williamsâ€™ confidence in his talents by rocking the established order with a string of notable achievements in his debut season. Button went on to pursue his Formula One career with Benetton Renault, and more latterly, BAR.

In the space of four short seasons, Jenson has become one of the most sought after Formula One drivers as the teamâ€™s Director of Engineering, Patrick Head, reflected, â€œWhen we signed Jenson in 2000, he was clearly a nascent talent. In the last three seasons, no-one can have any doubt that he has now come of age and is one of the sportâ€™s leading contenders. In many ways, the challenge is now ours to meet his capabilities, and I have every confidence that the intense investment and re-organisation we have undertaken this year, married with a strong driver pairing, will see a resurgent BMW WilliamsF1 Team next season.â€?

BMWâ€™s Director of Motorsport, Mario Theissen, also welcomed the announcement. â€œJenson is one of the very best drivers in the paddock, and BMW is delighted that he has trusted our ambition and determination to win World Championships. I have every confidence he will make a significant contribution to our future success.â€?

usl

06-08-2004, 08:45 AM

Damn theres some good driver lineups next year. And Webber finally gets a good team mate!

toad

06-08-2004, 08:59 AM

How good is that. 2005 is going to be one very interesting year for F1

Andrew

06-08-2004, 11:32 AM

Wow, that is news from left field! I thought Button was happy at B.A.R. and was likely to stay with them since their increase in performance this season. It is going to be VERY interesting watching Button and Webber as team mates. Webber, who has had to fight every inch of the way to get to F1, and then progress his way up the ranks to a top-level drive, while Button has had a somewhat easier route into F1. And yet both possess enormous talent and the ability to give Michael Schumacher a hurry-up if their car is competitive. I cannot wait for 2005!

And in other F1 news, Toyota has sensationally dropped Da Matta from his race drive and given it to their Friday test driver Ricardo Zonta, effective immediately. Zonta will be their second driver, alongside Panis, from the Hungarian GP onwards. This also means that Ryan Briscoe (the young Aussie lad) is promoted to the Friday test driver position, and will now be driving the latest-spec TF104B for the team. Clearly, Da Matta was not accumulating the sort of results Toyota wanted, and although still a contracted driver with them until the end of the year, is unlikely to hop back into the car in a competitive sense again. I just thought that this was note worthy, as it propels Briscoe into a better position to bid for an F1 drive at some stage.

Patterson

06-08-2004, 11:37 AM

williams should be at the top of the field again next year....

Probably got the 2 best drivers behind schumacher now...it will be very interesting....

I wonder what Da Matta has done to upset Toyota??

Tumbo

06-08-2004, 11:39 AM

So far Webber has consistantly beaten his team-mate- perhaps this will see him leap from a respected talent to a definitive champion? who knows should be fantastic to watch! :D

timbo333

06-08-2004, 12:15 PM

WOW what unexpected news that was this morning.

Frank Williams and Co. have done very well with their signings.

Very much looking forward to next season......

Timbo.

teambrock50

06-08-2004, 12:28 PM

Da Matta did nothing wrong they just wernt happy with his results this year. And i dont blame them.

Patterson

06-08-2004, 01:25 PM

Originally posted by teambrock50
Da Matta did nothing wrong they just wernt happy with his results this year. And i dont blame them.

fairy nuff...

I guess he did do something wrong then...;)

Drove too slow or something...

Andrew

06-08-2004, 01:39 PM

Da Matta couldn't follow up on last season when he showed real promise. Plus, Panis has out scored him in points this year, as well as generally out-qualified him too. And Toyota have had a 'history' of acting ruthlessly when the situation 'demanded' - just look at the sacking of both Salo and McNish in 2002...

SWRT

06-08-2004, 01:59 PM

Can't wait to get the 2005 William Minichamps Webber + Button cars.
Would Minichamps also be making Briscoes F1 "Weekend" debut car from Hungaroring?
I hope Williams would consider a similar pre-AGP Circular Quay event like this year.

brchi17

06-08-2004, 02:47 PM

Got this from racetime (http://www.racetime.com.au)

Panasonic Toyota
Aug 06 2004
Ricardo Zonta to replace Cristiano da Matta from Hungary Thursday 5 August 2004

Panasonic Toyota Racing has today announced that its third driver Ricardo Zonta will be promoted to the role of race driver with effect from the upcoming Grand Prix of Hungary. Zonta will replace Cristiano da Matta and race alongside Olivier Panis.

The team's test driver Ryan Briscoe will in turn assume Zonta's role during the race weekend, running the third car during Friday's free practice sessions.

Cristiano da Matta will continue to be employed as a Toyota driver for the remainder of the year and could consequently still be called upon to partake in any driving or marketing-related activities for the Panasonic Toyota Racing team.

Team Principal of Panasonic Toyota Racing, Tsutomu Tomita said: "We revised our original plans after we reviewed the results of the last three Grands Prix. Ricardo Zonta consistently performed very well, as indeed he also did in the first half of the 2004 season. We believe it is fair to offer Ricardo the chance to show his potential in full race conditions, before we enter into the final step of our driver evaluation for the 2005 season. We decided to retain Olivier Panis as a race driver for the rest of this season, based on the fact that he is the driver who has secured the team's best race result of the year so far (5th in Indianapolis) and has collected the higher number of championship points (5). Cristiano da Matta will remain a Panasonic Toyota Racing driver until the end of 2004 and could still be called upon to undertake activities accordingly."

Good to finally see Ryan getting a chance to strut his stuff !!!

cheers. :)

roboneill

06-08-2004, 05:25 PM

Lets hope there are no team orders that make 1 driver the main driver and the other has to do what he can to propel the main driver aka Schumacher and others and also Kimi and Coulthard..
last thing we want to see is webber making way for button..

brchi17

06-08-2004, 07:23 PM

Originally posted by roboneill
.....last thing we want to see is webber making way for button..

the only way that will happen is if they make Webber pull off the track to wait for him to catch up :D !!!

I think there will be =#1 in Williams next year & if there is going to be a #1 & #2 then it would have to be Mark #1 & Jenson #2.

Personally, I'm surprised to see Jenson leave BAR considering the way they have been performing this year & the fact that he his a previously sacked Williams driver :eek: ???

The good thing is that with a Brit & Aussie in the Williams, there will be plenty of coverage of them on the iTV coverage !!!

cheers.

singer

06-08-2004, 09:13 PM

Webber has consistently out scored his team mates. Provided there are no team orders (ala Ferrari) he'll do well.
Williams have a superb Driver lineup which make for a very competitive F1 Championship in 2005 rather than the boring line of red:D

teambrock50

06-08-2004, 09:42 PM

Button-gate swings into action
Button deal 'will not happen' - Richards

Formula One outfit BAR will not let Jenson Button wander down pitlane to old team BMW Williams, the Brackley squad's principal Dave Richards vowed on Friday.

"We are determined this is not going to happen," said the Englishman who admitted he was as surprised as everyone else when Williams announced the deal. Richards insists Button is under contract to Honda-powered BAR.

Button's manager John Byfield is thought to have invoked a 'get out' clause in the BAR deal by questioning the long-term commitment of engine partner Honda.

Team boss Richards said the fact implied a 'hidden agenda'.

"There is absolutely no doubt Honda are committed," he said, although Honda's new engine deal with the BAR team is thought to include an open exit clause.

Button has 'ditched' 400 hard workers at the factory, Richards suggested. "He's the guy who gets all the champagne and he does this. Perhaps Jenson has been led down the garden path."

teambrock50

06-08-2004, 09:45 PM

Tug-of-war declared for Jenson Button
Richards furious over Button move

Tug-of-war declared for Jenson Button
Richards furious over Button move

Dave Richards stunned by Button defection

Jenson Button's switch from BAR to Williams might not be as straightforward as the news headlines suggest, it emerged in the wake of the official announcement.

Brackley-based principal David Richards, who has spent the season talking up Button's future championship bid, said he had been 'utterly shaken' last night.

He reckons Honda-powered BAR had the 24-year-old under firm contract.

Media reports suggest Button's management, led by John Byfield, found an 'out' clause in his 2005 contract offering a release if Honda was not committed to BAR.

Other reports quoted Richards as utterly furious at the move. Frank Williams told BBC radio that BAR's 'option' on Button expired recently. "[Button's] management called and said it's no longer valid," he explained. "They said 'would you be interested in his services?'"

Frank Williams continued: "I think BAR probably wanted to take up the option [on him] but whether [they did] or not will come out in due course."

Sources said the issue is to be referred to the FIA's 'contracts recognitions board' for adjudication, but last night Richards just wanted to talk to his man.

He said he had tried, without success, to phone Button for over 24 hours.

singer

07-08-2004, 05:54 AM

Originally posted by teambrock50
Tug-of-war declared for Jenson Button
Richards furious over Button move

Tug-of-war declared for Jenson Button
Richards furious over Button move

Dave Richards stunned by Button defection

Jenson Button's switch from BAR to Williams might not be as straightforward as the news headlines suggest, it emerged in the wake of the official announcement.

Brackley-based principal David Richards, who has spent the season talking up Button's future championship bid, said he had been 'utterly shaken' last night.

He reckons Honda-powered BAR had the 24-year-old under firm contract.

Media reports suggest Button's management, led by John Byfield, found an 'out' clause in his 2005 contract offering a release if Honda was not committed to BAR.

Other reports quoted Richards as utterly furious at the move. Frank Williams told BBC radio that BAR's 'option' on Button expired recently. "[Button's] management called and said it's no longer valid," he explained. "They said 'would you be interested in his services?'"

Frank Williams continued: "I think BAR probably wanted to take up the option [on him] but whether [they did] or not will come out in due course."

Sources said the issue is to be referred to the FIA's 'contracts recognitions board' for adjudication, but last night Richards just wanted to talk to his man.

He said he had tried, without success, to phone Button for over 24 hours. The plot thickens. I soppose it will leave Webber as the lead driver at Williams:D

Tumbo

07-08-2004, 06:35 AM

i think at the end of the day that Richards will back down if Button is not totally committed.....but it will cost button- similar thing at the end of 2001 w/ Richards proceeding court action over Burns' move from prodrive to peugeot......
At least Webber is secure:)

07-08-2004, 07:49 AM

All Williams has to do now is dump the walrus look and go for a more conventional nose cone and they might be looking at at least a constructors championship. I hope Mark blows JB out of the water but it will not be easy. I have often wondered who would be the best driver in the same car. Seems now we might find out.

usl

07-08-2004, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by BB
All Williams has to do now is dump the walrus look and go for a more conventional nose cone and they might be looking at at least a constructors championship. I hope Mark blows JB out of the water but it will not be easy. I have often wondered who would be the best driver in the same car. Seems now we might find out.
According to the Williams press release for Hungary they're going back to a conventional nose. That car was a serious minger.

Goodwrench3

07-08-2004, 10:42 AM

I'm not surprised David Richards is pissed off - I was completely dumbfounded by the Button defection.
BAR are quite clearly on the up and as it stands at the moment out-performing Williams. And he had the whole team working for him.
Richards threw him a life line at the end of '02 when Button was sacked by Renault. This is how DR is repayed.
The prospect of Webber and Button on the same bill next year is mouth watering, but Button's actions have also left a sour taste in mine.....

Goodwrench3

07-08-2004, 10:44 AM

Also, Prodrive have lost Lowndes and Button in the same week!!!

skyzerr33

07-08-2004, 11:44 PM

BAR has issued an ultimatum to Jenson Button's management company, â€˜Essentially Sportâ€™, requiring them to arrange a face to face meeting between Button and BAR executives by close of business on Monday or face immediate action to enforce BAR's contract with Button.

"We have been trying to talk to Jenson for days," said David Richards, BAR Team Principal. "He has a clear duty to all of those who've worked with him for the last two years to explain to them what is going on."

"We have complete confidence in the strength of our contractual rights," said Richards "and in the option that we have exercised for 2005."

The option was approved at a board meeting of BAR on 20th July. Jenson and his management team were informed of this in writing well before the end of the option period on 31st July, a fact acknowledged by Essentially Sport. Notice of exercise of the option had also been lodged with F1's Contract Recognition Board in Switzerland.

"If people make commitments they should keep them - and I will use every means available to me to make sure that all the requirements of our contract are met," said Richards.

"If we do not have a meeting with Jenson by Monday night to sort this out, the processes to enforce our rights under the contract will commence without further notice."

Press Release
BAR Honda

taken from f1live.com. as mentioned in other posts bar really want to keep button.

skyzerr33

07-08-2004, 11:48 PM

then theres this one Hakkinen to BAR.

Mika Hakkinen and BAR Honda have held initial discussions regarding a possible racing return for the 1998 and 1999 World Champion according to French AFP sources.

The news broke today, less than 24-hours after BMW Williams announced that current BAR driver Jenson Button is to join their team in 2005, an announcement very much disputed by BARâ€™s boss Dave Richards.

The Hakkinen link to BAR was revealed today on his visit to Jyvaskyla during the Finnish World Rally Championship event. Rumour circulating at the rally service park is that he has already signed a contract with the team.

"There is no smoke without fire," Hakkinen told Finnish Television. "I don't want to say more at the moment. Suffice to say the discussions with BAR are particularly interesting."

Should Williams achieve their aim and Button does move to the team for next season, the seat alongside Takuma Sato is up for grabs. Mika Hakkinen joins the list of many drivers, including test driver Anthony Davidson, who would love a shot at driving for BAR Honda.

E.A.
Source AFP

Goodwrench3

08-08-2004, 10:34 AM

Crikey, things are hotting up! This is sounding like the biggest drivers moves season in F1 for years!
"Theres no smoke without fire" isn't the sort of thing I'd have expected Mika to say though.........

wayno

08-08-2004, 04:38 PM

David Richards has now scotched the rumours that he is talking to Mikka about next year. How true this statement is we will wait and see.
I was as shocked as anyone by the move from Jenson. BAR Honda have done everything they can to give him a competitive car and have structured the team around him. If they can improve the car again for next year then it could be something quite special.
It's a pretty piss poor effory from him in my opinion. If the BAR was a bucket of then I would understand it, but the car is a very competitive package.
Hope he doesn't get special treatment at Williams as well because he's a pom.

HRT 1-2

11-08-2004, 03:12 PM

Couple of articles from Racetime today, who'd want to keep him after this?

B.A.R.
Aug 11 2004
CRB ACKNOWLEDGES REGISTRATION OF B*A*R BUTTON CONTRACT

10.08.04

The FIA Contract Recognition Board acknowledged, in writing, that, as of today, the B*A*R Contract with Jenson Button is the only valid contract registered for the 2005 season.

A driver's "super license" - his right to drive in Formula 1 - is only valid if his contract has been lodged with and registered by the CRB and all driver contracts contain a provision submitting all priority disputes to the CRB.

The CRB was established in 1992 to regulate driver contracts and resolve priority disputes where a driver enters into a new contract with a Formula 1 team when a clearly established and registered contract is already in existence. The purpose of the CRB is to enforce driver contracts and provide a swift international resolution to conflicts which if channelled through national legal systems could be drawn-out and could result in a wholly inappropriate remedy for the innocent party and for the sport as a whole.

All signatories to the Concorde Agreement are bound by the procedures of the CRB which requires any new driver contract to be registered 'forthwith' i.e. immediately, and without delay, in order to establish its validity.

B*A*R has willingly submitted itself to this process which is final and binding on all parties.

BMW-Williams
Aug 11 2004
Statement - Jenson Button, 15300hrs BST, Monday August 10

In relation to the statement issued by BAR ('Button Contracted to BAR in 2005'), the BMW WilliamsF1 Team reiterate it is Jenson's intention to drive for the team in 2005, and that his contractual position provides for this. The team would also like to clarify the following matters:-

The Contracts Recognition Board (CRB) is not a constituent element of the FIA, but an independent body set up under the Concorde Agreement between the Formula One teams, the commercial rights holder (FOM) & the FIA. It is
therefore wholly incorrect to refer or indicate that the decisions made by the CRB are an endorsement of a legal position by the FIA.

BAR's statement today is misleading. BAR have registered what they believe to be a valid claim over Jenson Button for 2005. The CRB have not endorsed the validity of this claim, but have simply confirmed receipt of BAR's documentation.

This does not mean that their contract is valid, or holds precedence over other contracts with Jenson Button.

As a matter of record, WilliamsF1 has a contract with Jenson Button deposited with the CRB in October 22, 2002. Receipt of this deposit was also acknowledged by the CRB.

In the opinion of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, BAR have failed in their responsibility to correctly exercise certain option clauses in their contract with Jenson Button, and as such, their contract has expired, and Williams' contract is valid.

The CRB does not, in all cases, make final adjudication on contractual disputes, and may refer cases to the appropriate legal authorities.

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team has a commitment to correctly represent the outcome of this process to the media as and when a conclusion is reached.

wayno

11-08-2004, 03:44 PM

This is definately not over. This has got to go down as one of the silliest F1 'silly season's' ever!
No matter what happens with all this there will still be one top F1 seat going begging for next year. I'm interested to see who ends up where Button isn't.
I would like to see Jenson stay at BAR for reasons I have stated previously, but I think he may be on the move. It's just a matter of Frank coming up with a suitable compensation offer.

brchi17

11-08-2004, 03:59 PM

I heard something on the 5pm news on the radio saying that Bernie will not give Button a F1 Super license if he does not drive for BAR - haven't seen a press release, but as Wayne said, this is far from over.

At least if Jensen stays with BAR it might just prolong his F1 career, as I have a feeling that if he is Webber's #2 he will just end up with all the others on the scrap heap.

cheers. :)

wayno

11-08-2004, 04:02 PM

Originally posted by brchi17
IAt least if Jensen stays with BAR it might just prolong his F1 career, as I have a feeling that if he is Webber's #2 he will just end up with all the others on the scrap heap.

This is the bit I'm worried about. Can you imagine a pom being number 2 at Williams?

singer

11-08-2004, 04:14 PM

Originally posted by wayno
This is the bit I'm worried about. Can you imagine a pom being number 2 at Williams?

I'm laughing all the way to next years championship:D

Goodwrench3

11-08-2004, 06:22 PM

Shades of Alesi 1990 - he signed with both Williams and Ferrari! He was an emotional lad, and badly managed.
At the end of the day, he drove for who he wanted - Ferrari. It was possibly the worst drivers decision in the history of Formula One.

wayno

17-08-2004, 11:19 PM

Still no news from the contract review board, but Mario Thiessen has come out on the BMW Williams web site saying that BMW back the move to sign Jenson fully and believe they have him under contract for next year.
This is quite pertinent in my eyes as some sources were saying BMW were against the move to get Jenson. With BMW backing the move so publicly they must feel pretty confident the team is in the right. Car manufacturer's do not like to be seen with egg on their faces.

brchi17

19-08-2004, 03:54 AM

I suspect we might hear more of this as we get closer to the Belgium round in 10 days time.

I couldn't imagine BAR & Williams being happy to have this hanging over their heads as they try to organise sponsorship etc...., for 2005.

cheers. :)

Andrew

19-08-2004, 09:21 AM

To be honest, I think Jenson would be better staying where he is at B.A.R. They have proved on more than one occasion to be the second fastest car on the grid - only Sato's ambivalent finishing record keeps them from being second in the manufacturers' championship this year. Jenson has a very supportive team atmosphere around him, and he has given B.A.R. and Honda the results and the belief to push even harder. They are very committed to his success, and I can fully understand Richards' claims of "betrayal" by Button towards the team. It was very underhanded. Typical F1. And although I had not given it much chop when it was first raised, I too now wonder whether secretly inside Williams, there would be a bit of favouritism on behalf of the engineers and mechanics for Button, being a British boy. Sure, to all outward appearances, Button and Webber would have equal billing, but just like the official line at Ferrari and Renault, depsite claims of equal cars etc there is clearly a driver that the teams warm to more.

I shall be watching very interestedly.

And as someone mentioned earlier, David Richards doesn't give up easily. He is the Bernie of the WRC, and in the past has taken issues to court in order that they be sorted - the Richard Burns move from Subaru to Peugeot at the end of 2001 being an example. In a nutshell, he won't lie down and take this from Sir Frank OR BMW, despite their undoubted political muscle in the pitlane.

wayno

19-08-2004, 09:35 AM

I feel he'll lie down and take it for a fist full of dollars and if that was offered this whole issue would go away very quickly. Sir Frank does not think much of spending when it comes to the driver market and I feel that this is the major stumbling block.
We are going to have to wait a while on this issue it seems as no-one seems to have any idea how it's going to pan out.
Some of the rumours about the BAR seat are right out there. Depending on who you believe the BAR will be driven by Villeneuve, Hakkinen or Barrichello if Jenson moves on!

Andrew

19-08-2004, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by wayno
I feel he'll lie down and take it for a fist full of dollars and if that was offered this whole issue would go away very quickly. Sir Frank does not think much of spending when it comes to the driver market and I feel that this is the major stumbling block.

The only thing is, Frank refused to pay the sort of money Ralf was after, so it seems Frank is not always keen on digging too deep.....

brchi17

19-08-2004, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by Andrew
The only thing is, Frank refused to pay the sort of money Ralf was after, so it seems Frank is not always keen on digging too deep.....

That being the case, i seem to recall him paying Ralf US$6million+ so I wonder how much he calls too much.....???

cheers. :)

dwarfs

19-08-2004, 03:37 PM

6 million dollars is like $6 to frank williams.

cheers

wayno

19-08-2004, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by brchi17
That being the case, i seem to recall him paying Ralf US$6million+ so I wonder how much he calls too much.....???

cheers. :)

That really was due to Ralf being pretty much all that was available to him at the time. Willi Weber is a VERY smart man and got Frank for everything he could. There were more options available to Williams this year and that's the main reason Ralf is out. Even when he dropped his asking price Frank didn't want to know him.
Look at the drivers Frank has let go over financial issues in the past and you'll see what I mean about his attitude to spending money on drivers.

HRT 1-2

20-08-2004, 09:03 AM

Originally posted by Andrew
The only thing is, Frank refused to pay the sort of money Ralf was after, so it seems Frank is not always keen on digging too deep.....

I see this as being a different case, Ralf's failed exercise was attempted extortion!

The Button situation is Frank going shopping!

wayno

20-08-2004, 09:22 PM

As an aside on the driver market issue it seems that Villeneuve visited the Sauber team earlier this week. Seems the guy really is serious about getting back into F1.
The Jenson Button thing has gone very quiet. I don't know when the contract review board is due to sort this all out but the longer it drags out, the messier it will get I feel.
Also Jarno Trulli has come out attacking Renault for giving Fernando Alonso preferential treatment. Well you made your bed by asking for more money and then dropping the ball in the car so lie in it!

toad

20-08-2004, 10:41 PM

Its a bit off topic but I just read this

"The rumour mill is never silent for long when it comes to the plans for Jaguar Racing in F1. The latest whisper is that there is a "strong possibility" that Jaguar's parent company Ford, will decide to get rid of the Jaguar branding because the F1 project is being funded by Ford and the US company is not getting any benefit from the money being spent. The argument is that Ford would sell more cars if the cars were Ford-branded.

One of the problems with the Ford Motor Company is that if you talk to 20 executives you will always get 20 different answers and there will always be political agendas with people from different divisions and their associates trying to argue for what they want. There is an element of logic in the fact that Ford wants more coverage but at the same time the Jaguar brand is strong and does create more passion. The marketing men will need to work out whether or not this has impacted on sales and whether or not it will continue to do so"

I think they should drop the Jaguar F1 team name too and perhaps call it Team Volvo or Team Landrover.

:D

ferrari fan

21-08-2004, 07:14 AM

Team Landrover or Team Handover (again).
Maybe Prost would want to run it or Tommy Walkingslow if they want to prolong their pathetic efford a little longer
Jaguar is a brand for the over 65 with a passion for topshelf Chardonay quaffing and the big tax write offs on their transport
FORD does have a MUCH bigger target group than the lame cat.

jager

21-08-2004, 08:08 AM

The argument is that Ford would sell more cars if the cars were Ford-branded.

I think this only applies if Jaguar / Ford were one of the top 3 or 4 teams and regularly challenging for podium positions. As it is now, their lack of success on the track is likely to harm Ford's image rather than help it. I thought this was one of the original reasons Jackie Stewarts team was stripped of its 'Ford' livery when Ford bought Jackie out.

Goodwrench3

21-08-2004, 11:28 AM

JaguarF1 is always refferred to as 'Ford' by people within F1 circles anyway.

brchi17

22-08-2004, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by Goodwrench3
JaguarF1 is always refferred to as 'Ford' by people within F1 circles anyway.

Just had a quick look at Ford US (http://www.ford.com/en/default.htm) & found that there are plenty of brand names they can use if they're sick of Jaguar.

Listed there was VOLVO, Lincoln, Mercury, Land Rover, Mazda, Aston Martin, plus how knows how many more brands they own in other countries.......

Jaugar has a lot of F1 history & I think it's a much better name plate for Ford in this category, than any of the others...... Could you imagine the look on peoples faces if it was called a Land Rover.....

cheers. :)

dwarfs

23-08-2004, 03:36 AM

thats the worse possible name .
they wouldnt have too much fans if any, because if it is related to ford in anyway fords dont move.:D
its more like an a car suited for old people not too fast .:D

cheers

biante13515

23-08-2004, 09:31 AM

Would this leave the door open for Mika Hakkinen to return to F1 via the cockpit of the BAR, heard rumor of talks ??

singer

23-08-2004, 10:42 AM

Ford have always tried to gain prestige at the expense of others.

Look at their attempt to buy Ferrari to gain the LeMans & F1 glory. When Enzo wouldn't sell they pour millions into the GT 40 only to have John Wyer finish the job, the have a look at the BDA Ford Donk Ford Donk extensive outside engineering to the top end (Head) then have at look at the Cosworth DFV Ford Donk extensive outside engineering to bring the engine upto competitive standards.

Found On Rubbish Dump FORD:p

Andrew

23-08-2004, 11:20 AM

Originally posted by brchi17
Jaugar has a lot of F1 history & I think it's a much better name plate for Ford in this category, than any of the others...... Could you imagine the look on peoples faces if it was called a Land Rover.....

cheers. :)

I believe Jaguar have a long history in Sportscars and Le Mans, but not F1, so I thought it would have been better if they had kept the Ford badging as it was with Stewart. But Jaguar was obviously seen as a more prestige brand to take on established names like Ferrari. How different this whole issue would have been if Jaguar had been challenging with the top teams - the 'Jaguar' branding would have been hailed as a massive success.