Williams looks set to retain its current driver line-up of Rubens Barrichello and Pastor Maldonado in 2012.
After its worst start to a season in its 36-year history, the team will make some significant changes to its technical department for 2012 and will switch engine supplier from Cosworth to Renault. But the positions of Barrichello and Maldonado appear to be safe.
Asked if Williams is keeping its drivers, Chairman Adam Parr told reporters at Silverstone: "Yes. I think that's vastly the most likely outcome."
Barrichello is the most experienced driver on the grid and over the British Grand Prix weekend Sir Frank Williams praised the 39-year-old.
"Rubens is very highly regarded and is truly a treasure trove of information and experience and that's something that will not be thrown away lightly," he said. "I think if we had given him a better car he would have been very close to the front, if not at the front. He is a superb driver."
Technical director Sam Michael will step down at the end of the year but believes rookie Pastor Maldonado, who has substantial backing from Venezuelan oil company PDVSA, has a bright future at the team.
"Pastor is doing a really solid job," he said. "As a rookie, he is particularly strong on the circuits he has driven on before. All the signs are showing that he should really excel in 2012 once he knows all the circuits we visit and so can turn up to each race and just concentrate on driving fast."
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
Feeds: ESPNF1 Staff - Feedback
No comments:
Post a Comment