Ralf likely to leave WilliamsF1


Pizzonia

By Andrew Hooper
May 7 2004

Based on comments from WilliamsF1 test driver Antonio Pizzonia it looks like there will be two vacant seats at the WilliamsF1 team in 2005, with Ralf joining Juan Pablo in leaving the team. Pizzonia expressed his desire to drive for the team if this does happen.

   
Ralf likely to leave
 
Based on comments made by BMW WilliamsF1 test driver Antonio Pizzonia the prospect of not seeing Ralf Schumacher with the WilliamsF1 team in 2004 are going stronger.

Pizzonia with Ralf SchumacherPizzonia was quoted as saying in an interview after the San Marino Grand Prix that it looks like there will be two seats available with the team next season. Pizzonia has come back to the WilliamsF1 team as one of their official test drivers in 2004.

Pizzonia said: "It looks like there are going to be two seats available in the team, which is good for me. It would be great for me if we could race together again. That's what I'm hoping for at the moment - myself and Mark Webber on the team."

The future of Ralf with the WilliamsF1 team has been the subject of much speculation with Ralf been linked to Renault and Toyota. As for who would be his replacement drivers for the team in 2005 this also has seen several names mentioned ranging from Jaguar's Mark Webber and David Coulthard.

The team may want to bring on board someone who is familiar with the team and this could be one of the teams current test drivers, but would also include Marc Gene not just Pizzonia.

As for how things were going for Pizzonia with the team since his return he added: "I think it's looking good. Testing has been going really well for me this year, and I will be testing a lot more from now onwards.

"I think they are pretty happy with the job I am doing with the car and they said that my feedback is also very good. But it's still quite early. We have to wait to see what is going to happen."

As to whether or not Pizzonia's comments become a reality, in respect of both Ralf and Juan Pablo leaving at the end of the year, is yet to be seen but from the list of very experienced drivers who would be aiming to secure a seat with WilliamsF1 in 2005 Pizzonia's chances of securing a full time drive may not be that great.

 
 
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