26/05/2013
NEWS STORY
In a move that will hardly surprise anyone, Toto Wolff admits that Williams is in discussions with Mercedes in terms of an engine deal for 2014.
Ever since the Austrian's shock move from Grove to Stuttgart, quitting his Executive Director role with Williams, in which he held a significant shareholding, for a similar role with Mercedes and a similarly significant shareholding (30%), there has been speculation that the deal included a sweetener in terms of an engine deal.
Speaking in Monaco, Wolff, whose wife Susie is a development driver with the Grove team, revealed that talks are well underway.
"It's clear that we are losing an engine customer in 2015," he said, referring to McLaren's switch to Honda, "and for Mercedes it is important to have a regular business case so it is important to have at least three customers from 2015 onwards.
"That is why we are having certain discussions with teams and Williams is one of them," he added. "It would be for 2014. Nobody would sign a one-year deal with anybody."
Williams is in the second year of its deal with Williams, however, save a fortuitous win in Spain last year, the partnership has come nowhere near the glory days of 1989 - 1999 when they won four drivers' titles and five constructors' titles with the French engine manufacturer.
Having previously worked with Ford/Cosworth, Honda, Judd, BMW and Toyota, Mercedes would be the Grove outfit's sixth engine partner in its 36 year history as a manufacturer.