Williams and Renault were a dominant partnership in the early 1990s. This partnership, combined with the active suspension designed for the FW14B meant that it was a fantastic car, the FW15C was a similar deal. The 1997 season was the last time, as I’ve already stated, that a Frank Williams won a championship, again powered by a ten-cylinder Renault engine.

Since then, Williams has flirted with the idea of prolonged success, but never quite hit the mark. 20 years have passed, and the team is looking no closer than they did five, ten, or fifteen years ago.

The Mercedes power unit provides a great opportunity for the constructor. Yes, they may not be able to challenge Mercedes themselves, or even Ferrari, but there is no reason to say that they couldn’t bring a challenge to Red Bull Racing. With a smaller budget but a far superior engine to the Renault the Austrian team use, or the Honda one they will be soon, they have a solid foundation.

On some levels, it seems like they may be making a conscious effort do this. Paddy Lowe, a fantastic and, previously successful Williams’ employee, designer/engineer has rejoined the team. Lowe is the man who oversaw the development of the brilliant active suspension. A man who has been a part of the design of seven different championship winning cars. The Wantage based team have shown great intent, making him a key figure in their future.

The man supposedly influencing the decision that Williams make on the driver that races alongside his son next season.

Unfortunately, in other aspects, the team seems to be accepting their mediocrity. The signing of Lance Stroll was widely regarded as solely for the purpose of improving the team’s finances. Felipe Massa’s retention was also seen as a quite uninspiring decision. The worry that the team may be settling for financial prosper was only further compounded when it was released that the team’s decision on their driver lineup was being influenced by Stroll Sr. The man providing his son Lance with the mass financial backing.

The supposed shortlist for the seat alongside Stroll are,

Paul Di Resta, 31

Felipe Massa, 36

Robert Kubica, 32

The third man on that list is one who I’m sure most fans are familiar with at this point, the excitement behind his return to the pinnacle of Motorsport has been well documented. The rumour that he may have a place at Williams Martini Racing was reinforced by his decision to end his own contract with Renault. Giving him more freedom to negotiate with other teams.

Kubica in his 2007 BMW-Sauber at Monaco.

There is an unexpected roadblock on his highway back to an F1 seat and its net worth is somewhere around the $2,400,000,000 mark. It seems Stroll Sr doesn’t want to see his son being outshone by a fast Pole.

As you’ll have noticed, each of the drivers on that list is in their thirties. This is down to financial reasons once again. Martini, William’s title sponsor, with their iconic, white, red and blue, supply the team with huge financial backing. Due to their position as a subsidiary of Bacardi, and as a producer of Vermouth and Sparkling Wine require that at least one driver of the two are at least twenty-five years or above. This means drivers like Wehrlein and Russell, cannot drive alongside Lance.

It seems Williams is at a crossroad. It isn’t the first they face, and it most certainly won’t be the last, but they have a decision to make. Do they settle with a mid-table position, fighting for points at the lower end of the top ten, or do they push forward? Do they ignore the advice of Lawrence Stroll, sign Kubica and hope he can be the driver to push their team to greater heights. Do they use Lowe’s expertise and innovate their package, pushing past Force India, and challenging Red Bull Racing. The decision, in the end, will be down to the members of the team who have a stake in the team, most importantly, Claire Williams. A woman who has faced more than her fair share of criticism as the first ever female deputy team principal.

Only time will tell.