Thread: Adam Parr: the Selection of the pilot - the most difficult decision

Adam Parr: the Selection of the pilot - the most difficult decision

Former Executive Director and President of Williams Adam Parr in an interview with Austrian Motorsport-Magazin spoke about his book "The art of warfare: Five years in Formula 1"problems with the Contract Agreement, Toto Wolff and his relation to the rent-drivers. . .
Question: to Work in Formula 1 - it's like fight a war?
Adam Parr: No, to say so would be rude and inappropriate. But in the beginning of my book I quoted from Prussian General Carl von Clausewitz, which illustrates the fact that competition and conflict linked.
Question: What can readers expect from your book?
Adam Parr: I wanted to give a glimpse behind the scenes of Formula 1. To show what worked well and what doesn't. Formula 1 is not only a sport, but first and foremost a business. However, I wanted to submit it as something new, so I made a book in the form of comics. Different readers will have different conclusions. I hope that for many of them to read the book will be interesting and entertaining.
Question: In your book you call some contractual Consent is unacceptable and incompatible with EU law. Could you make this clear?
Adam Parr: My understanding of EU legislation is that no one has the right to abuse a dominant position on the market, and to enter into agreements that interfere with nutrirional competition.

If the Consent Agreement provides that certain teams have advantages from the point of view of financial remuneration and participation in the drafting of regulations and other benefits - for example, being appointed to the Council of the owner of the commercial rights, then there is a possibility that EU law will be violated.

There is another important principle in the European legislation, which is difficult to combine the rules of Formula 1. In sports, this is called the principle of solidarity. So the sport was effective from the point of view of sustainability, equity and social significance, it should prevail fair game. Not in the interests of society, when two teams dominate in any sport, regardless of whether it happens in the financial sector or in any other-it contradicts the very nature of the sport.

In England the Parliament has just published a report about English football, which criticized his financial instability and how organized sports management. There are also several teams are trying to dominate the rest. The football Association announced that it has 12 months to correct these deficiencies.
Question: Formula 1 Team had the opportunity to sign a Contract Agreement?
Adam Parr: No, it is an integral part of sports and business, there's no choice. That is why the authorities of the EU should explore the validity of this agreement.
Question: Not only the Contract Agreement has caused a broad discussion. Appeared in the last few years, KERS, DRS and Pirelli tires changed the Formula 1. How do you feel about these changes?
Adam Parr: In sports there are new variables, there are now more opportunities for overtaking. The teams, the FIA and FOM have done an excellent job. You should also add that it was justified and refusal refueling. This gives the team more options strategies.
Question: recently there has been a trend, when small teams are forced to use the services of rent-a-drivers. How do you feel about this?
Adam Parr: I would say that Ferrari and McLaren are also used riders who brought them contracts with major sponsors. For me, in fact, there is only one question: can the pilot to cope with their work or not. If he not only cope, but also sponsor results - excellent!
Question: In 2012, the year your former Williams team had a very strong season. What role you played in this success?
Adam Parr: My greatest achievement is that I started technical restructuring Williams.
Question: Apart from you in recent years left the team several key figures - Sam Michael, mark Gillan, Patrick head, Toto Wolff... There are reasons for this turnover?
Adam Parr: Sam and Patrick left the team in 2011, but for different reasons. Ultimately the reason for parting with them was the creation in Williams new structure of the technical Department - but it was their decision.

At the end of last year is gone and mark Gillan. This is, indeed, sad. An impressive figure. I was very glad when he was able to engage him in Williams. So sad that he is gone now.



Toto is a completely different story. He left the team due to the transition in Mercedes Motorsport. He played leading roles in the team just a few months, his departure should not change anything.
Question: At the end of last year about Williams spoke about how the team Toto Wolff. Whether this name?
Adam Parr: Now is definitely not, and even earlier, in my opinion, too. The command name is Williams. Toto is a great guy and I enjoyed working with him from 2009 to 2012 years. But as I said, in a managerial position, he stayed just a few months.
Question: How do you assess his move to Mercedes?
Adam Parr: I am happy and wish him every success. It's a great honor to be invited to Mercedes. Here it is impossible to deny - in its place no one could refuse.
Question: if it was Right decision to replace Bruno Senna on Valtteri of Bottas?
Adam Parr: The most difficult decision you have to make as a Manager of the Formula 1 team is the selection of the pilot. Riders always much more than empty seats. We are allowed to use only two, not 22, as in a football team. So, actually, the correct choice is very difficult to do.

Bruno is a talented and very smart guy. He has less experience than other riders, but he is so smart and so well adapted that is constantly progressing.

But, Bottas good - this is one of the most talented riders I've ever seen. In addition, he has received very good piloting skills. If Williams does not put him in the car, he would probably have lost Bottas. It would be a disaster. I think it has the potential to become a great racer.
Question: Can you imagine a return to Formula 1?
Adam Parr: No.
Question: Then what will you do?
Adam Parr: I just think about it. After leaving Williams I took a sabbatical. He almost ended. My children went to school in France - they're half French, so we decided to take advantage of this opportunity. The time is right, when it's time to start something new...
Question: Who do you consider a likely successor to sir Frank Williams?
Adam Parr: Frank for me as Bernie Ecclestone. I can't even imagine what will happen after them. It's too significant figures.
Question: What are the prospects Williams? Well if that command, with its divisions of Williams Hybrid Power and Williams Advanced Engineering, now depends not only on Formula 1?
Adam Parr: This is very important. Thus you can reduce the risks. Sponsors are always moving up and down, this source of income, which sometimes is very difficult to predict cash flow. Therefore, the broader range of income, the better for business. Other teams such as McLaren, doing the same thing.