Conference krakar::f1

    The team left for Barcelona right after the FW19 launch, some by plane
    others by truck/lorry. Both drivers are there in Montmelo. Villeneuve
    said in an interview that he has completely disconnected from F1 for a
    while, skiing, boozing, etc ... Now he's back to serious business and
    has been through some tough physical preparation work.
    
    He reckons that his most serious competitors this year will be
    Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Michael Schumacher and the Benetton boys.

    re .-2
    
    I read in an interview with adrian Newey that he hasn't actually left
    Williams (yet...) but is put on non-active...
    
    In his contract with williams is also something that he isn't allowed
    to work for any other F1 team...
    
    

RE: .2

As I understand it, the "can't work for any other..." sort of clauses 
aren't enforceable under British law.  The most Williams can do is 
keep him under paid leave of absence for six months.  It would appear 
they are doing just that.

--PSW

    .2�    I read in an interview with adrian Newey that he hasn't actually left
    .2�    Williams (yet...) but is put on non-active...
    
    I thought I'd seen something from Ron Dennis about Newey. Maybe a
    future org chart ...

    There's surtainly a lot of rumor going on about Newey going to
    McLaren...
    
    

	Now confirmed that Williams will continue with Renault engines 
	for 3 more years via a 3rd party supplier as previously noted
	here.

	-John

    .6�	Now confirmed that Williams will continue with Renault engines 
    .6�	for 3 more years via a 3rd party supplier as previously noted
    .6�	here.
    
    I've just got confirmation of what I suspected. The new arrangement
    is the following:
    
    - Renault-Sport officially terminate their F1 involvement at the end of
      the current season. Translation: Renault will stop spending 100M+ US$
      a year with supplying engines and support to Williams and Benetton.
    
    - Starting next year Williams will have exclusive use of the RS engines
      Frank Williams is very happy. He will BUY his engines from Mecachrome. 
      Briatore will most likely switch to Honda.
    
    - Mecachrome will sell engines to anyone, for a fee. These are basic
      engines. You want additional developments? No problem, RS Will
      deliver what you need, for a fee.
    
    - End result, Renault will move from spending around 100M$ to earning 
      xM$. x = 20, 50, 100 ?
    
    - Williams have no problem paying for their engines. With the Renault area
      freed on their race cars they will easily compensate with new
      sponsor(s).
    
    - And, if Williams win, be sure Renault will tell the world about it.
      No Mecachrome smoke screen.
    
    Well done MM Faure + Contzen (+Dudot?)

    I read in the F1 newsgroup that FW has already taken up his option on
    JV's services for 1998.
    
    Can anyone confirm?
    
    Edward.

    I also heard that somewhere else - on the ITV coverage maybe.
    

    
    I also heard that mr. Williams is deniing (sp?) this absolutely. (But
    what does that mean...).
    
    Frits.

    It certainly seems premature to me because Frank doesn't yet know for
    sure that Villeneuve is going to be champion. Only when Jacques has the
    title in his sights will Williams know that it's time to start
    undermining his position in the team and p***ing him off generally! It
    works every time....

    J Boullion tested last year's Williams with next year's, grooved tyres
    a couple of days ago somewhere or other.
    
    He was very enthusiastic, claiming that the FW18 felt just like a
    formula Ford car!
    
    Edward

    
    As a Marshal I know what kind of people drive Formula Fords, I hope
    this doesn't mean that we will have F1 cars falling off at every
    corner.
    
    	0 0
         |
    	 ~
    
    Neal.
    

    .11�    It certainly seems premature to me because Frank doesn't yet know for
    .11�    sure that Villeneuve is going to be champion. Only when Jacques has the
    .11�    title in his sights will Williams know that it's time to start
    .11�    undermining his position in the team and p***ing him off generally! It
    .11�    works every time....
    
    Craig Pollock and Julian Jakobi have spent A LOT OF time during the
    Buenos Aires week-end with ... 
    					Alain Prost.
    
    Alain has made it clear that as soon as he has a winning car/engine
    combination he will be looking for the best drivers. Villeneuve-Panis
    sounds a good combination to me.

	Re. Last.

	I read of this but Villeneuve connections deny that there's
	anything in it, but then they always do. Certainly Villeneuve
	is increasingly being viewed as a top driver, since he's quick 
	and finishes. Prost-Panis must also be considered as a line up
	for 98.

	-John

     from CEEFAX yesterday :
    
    Adrian Newey will begin work for Mclaren from August 1st 1997. There will
    be no further comment on the matter from Williams or Newey.
    
    Graham