"If we paid Alonso that much, we wouldn't eat for the year"
Pat Symonds: "We have deficiencies in areas we have to prioritise, if Alonso comes we want to be ready and get the most out of him we possibly can", Williams' technical director.
Pat Symonds likes Fernando Alonso. That much is clear, but both the driver and the Williams' technical director don't see a move for the Spanish driver to the team likely. The man who brought belief back to the Williams team called the combination of Alonso and Sebastian Vettel in 2015 " a perfect fit for the team", but financial restrictions are likely to prohibit the arrival of Alonso:
"When I said that we preferred to spend the money on the car, I didn't mean that we couldn't exploit what a superstar driver could bring to us, but they cost money", said Symonds.
"For now we have deficiencies in areas we have to prioritise, if Alonso comes we want to be ready and get the most out of him we possibly can. We want to give him what he needs, no doubt about it, but if we had to pay him that salary, we probably wouldn't eat in a year".
Symonds left no doubt about their position and the financial considerations involved.
The man who rejuvenated Williams and transformed them from a team that won only five points in 2011 to a force to be reckoned with in F1, reiterated his confidence in his drivers Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas who he believes will augur in a year of success in 2016. The test in Montmelo circuit, Barcelona, which begin on February 22 will be the first touchstone for Williams:
"Felipe and Valtteri are perfect for the team, they work really well together, team-players who rely on and support each other, you can see that from their similar performances. That means the team works in the best atmosphere possible. Believe me, if I had the chance to choose any drivers I wanted, I'd stay with the ones we have, and that's not something you hear very often", affirmed Symonds.