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For those that are old enough we can remember what a power house team Williams once were. They lead in areas like technology and car development being innovative allowing them the access to the best drivers. The drivers wanted what Williams offered and that was the complete package. Williams would offer you the chance to race for the World title as they had the best car.
Look at who they had in their glory years Prost,Senna and Mansell. Both Prost and Senna wanted what Williams offered them and that was world titles. Mercedes are currently where Williams were 20/25 years ago and that was having the best of developers and drivers working together. How often do we see Hamilton deep in conversation regarding the car as he wants improvements.
Between the years of 1980 -1997 the Williams team won 9 constructors and 7 drivers titles and since then nothing. The teams last win came in 2012 at Brazil with Pastor Maldonado. Prior to that we have to go back 8 years to their last race victory.
What changed at Williams for this drastic lack of form or did the other teams just get better. I don't believe the other teams got better, but they had better drivers. When Williams were successful they had Patrick Head in charge of development and Adrian Newey who is now at Red Bull.
Having the top heads when it comes to development is not as effective however if you don't have decent drivers to work with. Experience and know how behind the wheel is part of a designers tool as the information is critical to development. George Russel is still a baby and can't help out regarding the car and what is technically wrong. I saw a clip of him saying how bad the car was in a meeting and instead of complaining he should be working night and day fixing it. Do you think Schumacher or a Hamilton would be happy leaving the factory if the car was not right.
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Sebastien Vettel has won with more than one team and has years of experience.
One has just got to look at Benetton and Schumacher as to how they developed a non competitive team into a winning team. It was no surprise that Mercedes took Schumacher out of retirement to help formulate the team and car of today. Hamilton and Rosberg along with Bottas developed it further along with the technical people in the team.
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George Russel should never be the lead driver for the team.The job is too big for him as the car needs work. Maybe in 5 years time but not a position he should be in right now.
I do believe Williams came unstuck when they didn't hire the best drivers available and went for the drivers that paid their way. Instead of forking our $20 million per season they received that money from drivers sponsors and wealthy backers. This in turn lead to a loss of performance and a loss of much needed revenue from bigger sponsors.
Honestly what did Lance Stroll offer besides his dad paying for his seat? Lance maybe a nice guy but he doesn't have the experience and know how to feed the designers and technical people crucial info to improve the car. This is vital and why Williams have been heading in reverse for many years.
Daniel Riccardo left Red Bull and went to Renault to help develop their car and there is talks of his contract ending at the end of this season. I cannot see Red Bull taking him back and chances are he could end up in a few places as he is too good not to be racing.
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Vettel is a perfectionist and expects the same level of performance from everyone around him.
Williams should be playing close attention as the one driver I believe they need more than anyone else right now is Sebastien Vettel. I say that as he is the one driver right now who could turn the Williams team around. He has the knowledge and experience to help the developers fix what is wrong. He could do what Schumacher did for Mercedes and develop a proper racing car.
He may cost more than they have spent for decades on a driver but the rewards could pay off handsomely. A winning team can charge more for advertising and they also attract the better drivers. An ailing team can be transformed within 2 seasons and this could even be less. Williams have been seconds off the pace for at least the last decade and a Vettel could bring them back with a fighting chance. Success breeds success and you only pay for what you get and lets face it they are paying nothing and getting nothing.