1999 Driver Profiles by Julie Gates

Team: Williams

by Julie Gates

The Team: A far cry from their former selves, Williams have dropped out of the "big four" for the first time since 1988. Suffering from lack of pace, as well as overall car handling, Ralf Schumacher has been the star of team, scoring thirty-five World Championship points to secure fifth in the Constructors' Cup for the team. A race win for the first time since 1997 was almost theirs at Luxembourg, but Schumacher suffered a puncture, putting paid to that. Qualifying performances haven't been spectacular, usually claiming positions on the fifth row of the grid. Similarly, race performances have been anything but spectacular, and it has only been Ralf Schumacher who has managed to perform to any degree in the car. Reliability has improved during the second half of the season, seeing only three failures, all on Zanardi's FW21. However, they have not performed well, and driver errors, particularly on the Italian's part, have cost the team dearly. They performed well in Italy, with Ralf Schumacher finishing second and Zanardi also proving competitive, but otherwise they have had little to get excited about. However, they have always shown their usual determination and fighting spirit, particularly with the car in the hands of Schumacher Jnr. Looking forward to 2000 with BMW backing, the team should return to the top within the next two years, when they can then put 1999 behind them.

Driver - Ralf Schumacher: He has been the undisputed star of the Williams F1 team. Scoring all of the team's points this season, he isn't scared to speak his mind and is well respected within the camp. Receiving only praise from both Frank Williams and Patrick Head, he has been, along with Frentzen, a true star of 1999. During the second half of the season, the Italian and European Grand Prix saw him impress mightily; he was in line to win the latter until a puncture intervened. Going back slightly, his drive at Silverstone was particularly astonishing to finish third as his brother was helicoptered to hospital. For such a young driver, he demonstrated professionalism that to do anyone proud. He has always tried his hardest and never been afraid to tell his team if something is out of place. For a driver in only his third year, he demonstrates talent with the maturity of a man twice his age. He made occasional driver errors, such as in Austria, but the solid performances over the year completely overshadow them. Overall, a brilliant year for the German; a World Champion in the making.

Driver - Alessandro Zanardi: Zanardi's season failed to improve in the second half, though his best performance was at the Italian Grand Prix where he finished in seventh. Dominated by his team-mate, he failed to make the most of the Williams, making them more effectively a one man team. Alex made numerous driver errors and has been off the pace on almost every occasion. However, he has out-qualified Schumacher five times in total, but for the double CART Champion, this is little to be excited over. There is no doubting that he is one of the nicer guys in the paddock, but his on-track performances leave a lot to be desired. He, and the team, must decide whether he has what it takes to race in Formula One and act accordingly.

Conclusion: Overall, the team has very little to celebrate; used to winning races and titles, they have slumped out of the "big four" and suffered their worst season since the torrid 1988 affair. Ralf Schumacher alone has been the reason the team has scored points, pulling out every extra tenth possible from the car. He has been consistent and reliable, as has his car. Whilst reliable, for Schumacher, Zanardi's mount has been difficult. And neither car has been very quick… However, the usual grit from Williams was evident, and with the help of Ralf Schumacher and BMW, they will be winners in the not-so-distant future.

Grade: C-