Stroll exit 'final nail in the coffin' at Williams
Stroll exit 'final nail in the coffin' at Williams
Jacques Villeneuve believes that Lawrence Stroll's takeover at Force India will prove to be the "final nail in the coffin" at Williams if the Canadian billionaire removes his backing, as well as son Lance, from the team. Stroll is expected to switch to Force India in 2019 after his father led a consortium to save the team.
Stroll's departure would not only take a driver away from Williams, but also take away numerous sponsors linked to the Canadian. Williams are already facing up to losing title sponsor Martini at the end of the year.
Deputy team principal Claire Williams says the team has plans in place in order to preserve their financial future, although Villeneuve - Williams' last drivers' champion in 1997 - recently said the team was "dead" under her leadership and predicts a dark future of the team.
"The loss not only of Lawrence, but also the sponsor [Martini] is probably the final nail in the coffin," Villeneuve told Le Journal de Montreal.
"They'll then lose a lot of TV rights because they'll be at the bottom of the championship. Even pay drivers won't want to spend money there.
"Force India is a better organisation than Williams. They only stopped developing this year because they can't afford it.
"Lawrence has always made brands grow. It's one of his strengths. He couldn't do it at Williams because he was not the owner, but his influence will be greater at Force India.
"He will help them. Force India remained a racing team, unlike Williams."
It remains to be seen whether Stroll will be partnered by Esteban Ocon or Sergio Perez at Force India next year, but Villeneuve believes one of them should make way for the teenager ahead of schedule.
"Lance should finish the season at Force India. He should not wait. He should drive in Belgium at the end of the month," he added.
"The car is better and he would be able to get a head start on next year, and improve his driving style with Force India's engineers."
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 legend issues DAMNING verdict on proposed rule change
- 2 minutes ago
Red Bull chief admits interest in poaching TWO rival stars
- 1 hour ago
Audi agree LONG-TERM F1 deal with star driver
- 1 hour ago
FIA boss HITS OUT at 'court of public opinion' after interference allegations
- 2 hours ago
F1 News Today: Horner reveals Verstappen SECRET as team reveal surprise name change
- Today 06:27
Ferrari announce DRASTIC change as Verstappen issues dire warning to bosses - GPFans F1 Recap
- Today 00:27
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860