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[MattMK45]

We have seen a big improvement of Williams' performance over the past 2 races with at least one driver (Barrichello) in this case scoring good points and also Hulkenburg despite his retirement in Valencia.

As I live in Britain, I watch the BBC coverage and in a post race interview at silverstone Eddie Jordan asked Rubens Barrichello will 5th place be possible this season? Considering they are 7th currently in the championship (One week prior to the German Grand Prix) with 31 points trailing Force India in 6th by 16 and Renault in 5th by 58. Do you reckon they will be able to challenge the Renaults?

From what evidence we can make clear of is that in the last 2 races, Williams have closed the gap of points between them and Force India and also Renault due to Kubica retiring. They have also been very prominent in the past 2 qualifying sessions with both drivers making it into Q3 consectutively. It seems safe to say that Williams are improving race by race and furthermore so than they're earlier performances in the season. They're blown diffuser worked wonders and much more consistently at least than fellow British team McLaren.

Could we then see Williams making it to 5th this season? Renault's Petrov seems to be off the pace and they have had some reliability issues with the car so is this where Williams could make their move and clinch 5th?

When Eddie suggested it, I thought well you never know what could happen and we are only at the halfway stage with more upgrades to come, but I doubted his judgement but at least see Williams being able to pass Force India at least and would be overwhelmed with joy if the took Renault as well (As I am a Williams fan.) I just don't think this season.

Share your views and let's all have a good discussion shall we?

Thanks Matt

[scotty]

I can't see them catching Renault cause Kubica has been completely on it this season. I think Force India however are showing signs of maybe dropping back slightly - they've not been as quick in qualifying and have lost several important technical staff to Sauber and Lotus. For Williams, everything hinges on those Cosworth engines, i think they are the single biggest dictator of how Williams will perform from race to race.

[What's Burning?]

I think the short answer to that is; it depends on the Hulk. Frankly the distance to Renault would be much greater and Renault would be in the Mercedes points neighborhood if Petrov would have been more consistent. Their car has been clearly better than the FW32 from the beginning. Now that Williams looks to be on a charge, the same thing applies to their rookie driver. You need two to consistently score points.

[MattMK45]

I agree, Barrichello has by far the majority of the points for Williams to himself and this is not the only team that this is apparent. Renault for example with Kubica gaining most of the points, Force India as well and of course Mercedes.

I think as well that you're right that the cosworth engines make a massive impact of the performance of the car. Am I right in saying it is the least powerful engine on the grid?

[scotty]

I have read that it's supposedly the most powerful actually! It suffers from a huge drop off in performance the more miles it does though - even worse than Toyota's old engine.

As for Hulkenburg, he's starting to come good and eliminate the little mistakes - there's no doubting his natural speed. I expect him to be a better match for Barrichello this half of the season.

[7UpJordan]

They can catch Force India but it will be tricky catching Renault as Kubica is constantly in amongst the front runners. Anything can happen though and Barrichello's influence is clearly showing in the upgrades Williams have brought in the past few races.

If Sauber continue they're good form from the last 2 races then they could even catch Force India too.

[MattMK45]

Well thank you both for your knowledge concerning the engines and such. I knew the renault engines where down on power espicially compared to the mercedes engines but I must say that I was suprised to hear that the cosworth engines where the most powerful!

I too have noticed a big improvement in Sauber's performance, especially it has to be said of Kamui Kobayashi in Valencia, what a drive!

[7UpJordan]

Well thank you both for your knowledge concerning the engines and such. I knew the renault engines where down on power espicially compared to the mercedes engines but I must say that I was suprised to hear that the cosworth engines where the most powerful!

I too have noticed a big improvement in Sauber's performance, especially it has to be said of Kamui Kobayashi in Valencia, what a drive!

De La Rosa's coming on form too, got into Q3 at Valencia, but dropped back when he ran wide at Copse at the start.

[myownalias]

I can see Williams gaining 5th place if they can continue with their improvements, Williams have made a huge jump up the grid since integrating their own version of the F-Duct system. Renault seem to be going backwards in relation to Sauber, Williams and Mercedes, so it's going to be a royal battle for 5th place I believe and hopefully, Williams experience will win that battle as I have more respect for Frank Williams and team than any other team on the grid, always love the independents!

[What's Burning?]

I can see Williams gaining 5th place if they can continue with their improvements, Williams have made a huge jump up the grid since integrating their own version of the F-Duct system. Renault seem to be going backwards in relation to Sauber, Williams and Mercedes, so it's going to be a royal battle for 5th place I believe and hopefully, Williams experience will win that battle as I have more respect for Frank Williams and team than any other team on the grid, always love the independents!

I agree... but judging by recent comments from the Williams camp, they may not be "independent" independent next year. I think the primary reason they've floundered this year is simply lack of money.

Even though they've been the underdog this first half, I think I'll give them the nod for 5th place. Rubens has to podium a couple of times though and Hulk has to constantly break into the top 10.

One of the easy things to overlook is that it's not just been a Williams resurgence but also a lack of performance from Mercedes and Ferrari's dismal execution that's allowed other teams into the top 10.

[myownalias]

One of the easy things to overlook is that it's not just been a Williams resurgence but also a lack of performance from Mercedes and Ferrari's dismal execution that's allowed other teams into the top 10.

I think that statement is a little unfair! Williams are winning the development race despite having a mediocre budget compared to Ferrari and Mercedes.

[What's Burning?]

One of the easy things to overlook is that it's not just been a Williams resurgence but also a lack of performance from Mercedes and Ferrari's dismal execution that's allowed other teams into the top 10.

I think that statement is a little unfair! Williams are winning the development race despite having a mediocre budget compared to Ferrari and Mercedes.

Just giving you the other side of the fence and I don't think it's entirely unfair. Did you read the two paragraphs above it?

Believe me not only am I a fan but I'm a corporate sponsor as well. At least the logo on their car is the same logo on my paycheck.

[Jabberwocky]

AT&T?

[What's Burning?]

AT&T?

McGruff the crime dog said never to give out personal information online.

[Jabberwocky]

I had to google who you whrer on about lol.

fair one though