- 23 Sep 10, 23:40#216763The engines definitely don't help, but it's not just the engines themselves, it's all the knock on effects that are just as bad. Let me explain:
Toyota - this was an underpowed engine that suffered from a (relatively speaking) massive loss in power the more miles it did. On top of that, they had to take on Nakajima who basically sucked. That chassis last season was very good (especially at the beginning where they stole a march with the double diffuser - something that additionally suggests that they aren't lacking in the aero department). If they'd had two good drivers they could easily have finished higher in the CC, and that means more money which is so key!
Cosworth - the engine supposedly has great peak power, but what good is that? It's very thirsty and so they cannot realistically run it on engine race settings that other teams might. In theory they have to run more efficient but slower modes or simply put more fuel in at the start, but neither is ideal. Perhaps i am speculating a little there but it would be entirely unsurprising if true. It is also a massively outdated engine by the ultra-fast moving modern F1 standards, which has a knock on effect in that some other components which are intrinsically linked to the engine are also outdated. This all adds up to a loss of lap time.
Williams last had works engines in 2005. That year they were still able to get pole positions which is the best sign of real pace, and they scored more podiums that season than they have from the start of 2006 until now.
However, engines aren't the sole reason for the current problems (as has already been alluded to). They simply don't have the money and resources that the likes of McLaren and Ferrari do, and that is a total catch 22 situation really. How can they really compete when the top teams can afford to spend ridiculous money developing parts at a very fast rate, and in some cases are able to spend further in order to get one tiny component out to the race at the last minute to put it on their car? That said, i think they have taken quite a clever direction in generating income - developing parts for mass commercial use, such as their KERS system. Perhaps that can help them on their road to recovery.
Rising number one of Formula 1, Juan - Juan, one wonders should Juan only win one Formula 1 one year, would Juan have won that one in round one, Juan??
