27/07/2006
NEWS STORY
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After months of speculation WilliamsF1 has announced that it has concluded a three-year partnership with Toyota, a move which will hopefully move the British team further up the grid.
When its relationship with BMW ended, WilliamsF1 concluded a deal with Cosworth, that promised much but delivered little. Despite a promising start to the season, various problems - not all engine related - saw the Grove outfit fall behind its former partner, the ailing Honda and even F1 new boys Red Bull. This in turn led to speculation at to the future of its two drivers, Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg, both of who have been linked with other teams.
The move will also benefit Toyota, which, after a strong season in 2005, has only recently begun to string together a run of points scoring finishes, despite having one of the best engines on the grid.
Under the terms of the agreement, WilliamsF1 will use the same specification of engine as Toyota. Both Williams and the Japanese team see significant benefits from a relationship based on robust on-track competition and close off-track co-operation.
On announcing the agreement, Toyota's Executive Vice President Kazuo Okamoto said, "We are delighted to be supplying Williams with engines from 2007 and working alongside a team rich in history and Formula One spirit."
"We are pleased to be selected as the engine provider to Williams and look forward to establish a strong relationship with them," added John Howett, President of Toyota Motorsport. "We look forward to both teams using each other as a comparative benchmark from which each can improve its own performance and to competing with each other at the front of the grid."
For his part, WilliamsF1's Team Principal, Frank Williams (right) commented, "This agreement is the cornerstone of Williams' challenge for the World Championship. Toyota is an impressive and remarkable industrial giant, with the most phenomenal reputation for achieving the goals it sets itself. We are proud to have secured their support in our efforts to return to our competitive best."
It's not known who Cosworth will supply next season, but the American owned company has been linked with Midland, though there remain issues regarding costs and the so-called engine fighting fund.
Other than Cosworth, with which Williams made its F1 debut, and won its first World Championship Grand Prix (1979), and BMW, the British outfit has enjoyed World Championship success with Honda and Renault, though it also used the Mecachrome/Supertec following Renault's withdrawal from F1 at the end of 1997, and Judd power-plants, when Honda switched allegiance to McLaren in 1988.