09/06/2005
NEWS STORY
It remains to be seen how BMW will react to comments, attributed to WilliamsF1 boss, Frank Williams.
In recent months there has been talk of a deterioration in the relationship, not helped by persistent rumours that the German manufacturer is keen to develop its own F1 team.
According to Autosport magazine, Williams regards the 'partnership' with BMW as one of the most difficult he has ever encountered.
"Our partnerships in the past with Renault and Honda have been more successful and cooperative," he told the British publication. "You never had this constant finger-pointing. We do not constantly ask why BMW had some 150 engine failures in 2000 alone."
How BMW will react to these comments remains to be seen, however the reality is that the writing appears to be on the wall.
Previously, BMW Motorsport director, Gerhard Berger, made no secret of his desire to see BMW form its own F1 team, though the German manufacturer dismissed the idea. However, it now appears that Mario Theissen is fully behind the concept, and is said to be working hard to 'sell' the idea to the company.
We have seen partnerships deteriorate in this way before, though - from the outside at least - this does appear to have happened rather quickly.
In the past, WilliamsF1 has enjoyed winning partnerships with both Honda and Renault, the Japanese manufacturer deserting the English team for an even more successful partnership with its great rival, McLaren, while Renault simply pulled the plug on its F1 programme, before re-entering the sport several years later.
Frank Williams is one of the few racers remaining in the pitlane, however he is also a canny old devil, and if these comments are correct, there must be a reason why he has agreed to make them public, for its clear that his team's relationship with BMW will now have soured even further.
Sources within the pitlane suggest that in addition to the idea of 'leading' an F1 team being a major ego trip for Theissen, there is concern at Grove that despite the hyperbole, BMW is no longer producing one of the best engines in F1.
At a time when the partnership is racking up some good results, it is sad that the relationship appears to be heading for the rocks.
That said, Frank Williams knows F1 inside out, and is sure to have his reasons for his choice of words and the timing.
The word on the street is that Toyota could power the WilliamsF1 in 2006, though don't rule out Cosworth, the company with which it secured its first win, back in 1979.