Is a move to Williams a viable option for Alonso?
The hottest rumour of the weekend has sent silly season into overdrive with the possibility of Williams landing one of the top names in the sport. Can they really attract Fernando Alonso who is still looking for a third world championship title?
On current form most would say that is unlikely. After being arguably the second best team behind Mercedes in 2014, they have slowly slipped backwards and are now just clinging onto fifth ahead of Toro Rosso.
2017 hasn’t exactly gone to plan for Williams and with the key appointment of Paddy Lowe from Mercedes, the extra money from the Stroll family and the experience of Massa, they should be close to rivals Force India in the championship.
Like McLaren they are a championship winning team and have proven in just the last few seasons they have the capability of running at the front of the field. You only have to look at Austria in 2014 when they locked out the front row in qualifying.
Weakened by the departure of Valtteri Bottas to Mercedes, which brought Felipe Massa out of his short retirement, new rookie signing Lance Stroll has failed to consistently points after an erratic start to the season, including crashing in winter testing.
It is questionable, however popular, that Massa will stay another season. His performances haven’t carried the team, and a weaker team-mate hasn’t pushed him to his full potential.
Although at times, as we saw in Canada and Azerbaijan, Stroll is capable of putting in good results, which combined with the money he brings to the team should, but he will be under pressure to perform in his second season.
Of course it is easy to dismiss the rumour. Could they afford him? Do they have the capability of winning a championship? Can a customer team beat a works outfit? However, think about the possibilities for Alonso.
An independent team frees him from a commitment to a works engine, opening further opportunities outside of the sport including IndyCar and Le Mans, but keeping him within the world of F1.
Williams have the latest Mercedes engine, arguably the best on offer at present. For the last three seasons he has complained about the lack of power from the Honda package, despite having a chassis which some compare to the leaders.
The question of money is difficult, even more so for an independent team such as Williams. Who knows what the motivation is for Alonso, even if he decides to take a pay cut for the seat. He could also find extra money for one off races either at Indy or Le Mans.
On the side of Williams, a major sponsorship deal with Martini in the turbo era has seen the team return to the front of the field. It comes with conditions, and the need to have a driver over 25. There are few on the market if Massa retires, Sergio Perez, possibly reserve driver Paul di Resta and Marcus Ericsson.
Employing such a high profile driver will also bring a much needed boost and it isn’t the first time big names have been connected to the team. Kimi Raikkonen nearly signed for the 2012 season on his return back to the sport before his Lotus deal.
Its an intriguing idea, one which shouldn’t dismissed at first thought as there are merits to such a deal on both sides.