Williams taking Data Driven Approach 2018 driver selection
By StuartL
October 5 2017
Williams
taking Data Driven Approach 2018 driver
Selection
The news that is
emerging about forthcoming Williams test sessions at Silverstone and
Hungaroring gives us clarity that Williams has the opportunity to taka a
data driven (rather than sentiment or intuitive approach) to selecting its
lead driver for 2018.
With Williams having the only available forward midfield team seat still
available for 2018, the team finds itself in the position of having a long
list of at least 5 to drive alongside Lance Stroll. The team of course has
four years worth of data on Felipe Massa, and has the choice of keeping the
Brazilian for a 5th successive season or choosing one of Robert Kubica,
Pascal Wehrlein, Jolyon Palmer, or 2017 Williams reserve driver Paul Di
Resta.
By laying on the tests in the 2014 car the team can gather key data to judge
Roberts speed, consistency and physical condition some 7 years since he was
badly injured rallying. This data of course allows the team to make
judgements and reassure sponsors that the end selection is benchmarked, and
if the team does change drivers the change is driven by more than gut feel.
Paul Di Resta gets his chance as the benchmark baseline relative to Robert,
and if Paul emerges materially faster there is a prospect he can move from
outside chance to tighter odds for the seat. Having said that in sponsors
minds there must be an adjustment that Paul is not quite 'box office'
against Felipe or Robert.
What is clear is this process is going to happen during the middle of
October and there must be a prospect of the end driver selection being
announced before Felipe arrives in Brazil for the penultimate race of the
season.
As a supporters forum here, we should be pleased that this data driven
approach of thorough testing gives the team the best chance of having the
fastest available driver for 2018, subject to the usual commercial
considerations.
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