KIMI KIMI - Mundo Motorizado

Williams closing on driver decision
Off-season saga drawing to an end as legendary team ponders vital choice to complete its 2012 line-up
Williams is on the brink of
making a final decision on its
second driver for 2012, a choice
that could make or break its season.
The team endured its worst
Formula 1 campaign since it became
a constructor last year, prompting a
technical restructure. Ex-McLaren
man Mike Coughlan succeeded Sam
Michael as technical director, with
former Toyota staffer Mark Gillan
joining as chief operations engineer.
Resources were then focused on
ensuring that this year’s FW34
is a significant step forward.
Gillan suggested late last season
that Williams could realistically aim
to move to the front of the midfield
in 2012 – but the driver chosen to
partner second-year pilot Pastor
Maldonado will be crucial in
developing the car and unleashing
its full potential on the track.
Team sources indicate that
Renault refugee Bruno Senna
potentially has the strongest
10 autosport.com January 12 2012
RUBENS BARRICHELLO
PROS
Vast experience
Technical knowledge
Established at Williams
CONS
Short-term option
Modest budget
Part of old regime
commercial package, with a
portfolio of backers in Brazil keen
to bankroll him into a seat. The
Brazilian, 28, showed good speed
during his eight-race stint last year,
but he lacks experience in F1.
Many at Williams favour the
retention of veteran Rubens
Barrichello. The 39-year-old has
worked hard to raise sponsorship
money in Brazil and is willing
to race for a very low wage.
Barrichello impressed the
Maldonado is already
signed up at Williams
“Barrichello’s ability
with engine maps furthers
his cause as the team
switches to Renault”
incoming technical team – Gillan
in particular – in the second half
of last season and would provide
the technical feedback to allow
Williams to quickly develop a very
different car to its 2011 machine.
Barrichello’s ability to work with
engine maps, highlighted by his
former team boss Ross Brawn,
will further his cause. Williams
switches from Cosworth to Renault
powerplants this year and will
spend the early stages of testing
adapting to the engine.
Force India reject Adrian Sutil
is neither the strongest contender
on finance nor technical ability.
Despite having proved himself as an
accomplished driver, the German is
ADRIAN SUTIL
PROS
In his prime
Proven points scorer
Strong end to 2011
CONS
Average technically
Moderate backing
Limited potential
reckoned by some who have worked
with him to be lacking in technical
understanding. Even so, his five full
seasons of race experience in F1
give him an advantage over Senna.
It is unclear how much budget
Sutil, 28, has been able to offer
Williams, and there is also the
problem of how long he is willing
to commit to the team. Williams
would be looking for a one-year
deal with options for the future, but
Sutil’s management is aspiring to a
switch to a top team in 2013, and
could opt for a third-driver role
with a squad such as Ferrari with
the bold aim of stepping up in 2013.
Given the importance of starting
the season strongly after a dismal
2011 season, Barrichello appears
to be the strongest contender on
merit. But financial concerns could
put Senna, a driver who appears
to have the potential to emerge
as a good competitor at grand
prix level, on pole position.
PICS: DUNBAR, FERRARO, BELLANCA, ETHERINGTON, COATES/LAT