Pressure to cut costs

For WilliamsF1 Technical Director Patrick Head there is a hope that the team will not have to replace both Ralf and Juan Pablo. But one factor that is playing a major role in determining whether the team has to replace both drivers is the necessity to keep costs under control. In an interview with the Der Spiegel magazine Head said that the financial stability of the WilliamsF1 team was of prime importance. He also indicated that BMW would not be contributing as much in the future.

Given these considerations the cost of the team's drivers was a factor that could not be ignored. The financial viability of the WilliamsF1 team has always been of paramount importance to WilliamsF1 management, and excessive wage demands by drivers are not viewed favourably.

Head said: "That wouldn't be optimal but we have to keep the company operating and BMW, as we've already noted, will be transferring far less into our accounts in 2005.

"Thus, we've got to cut costs. Nevertheless, a slot in a Williams car is an attractive place to work for many drivers."