An impressive technical team was crucial in attracting Williams to sign up to Cosworth power in 2010, team principal Frank Williams has revealed, and is confident their renewed partnership will enable the team to fight at the front of the field. Williams confirmed his team’s engine supply switch last night to the Gulf News newspaper, and the news was officially confirmed by the Grove-based side this evening in Abu Dhabi.
Williams began life as a Formula One constructor in 1975 with the legendary Ford Cosworth DFV engine, and stayed with Cosworth until their successful switch to Honda power in 1983. The team then returned to Cosworth in 2006 as a stop-gap solution between BMW and Toyota engine supplies. Cosworth’s 2006 unit will be used again from next season, after significant development work.
“Cosworth have impressed us with the quality of their technical team and convinced us that their programme will deliver a competitive Formula One engine,” Frank Williams said in a statement on Friday.
“In addition, like Williams, Cosworth is an independent company whose owners share our passion for racing and engineering. We believe that, working together, we will develop not only a competitive racing car for 2010 but also a long-term partnership that can take on the best in Formula One.”
Mark Gallagher, head of Cosworth’s F1 division, was delighted to secure Williams as a partner team. “Cosworth is delighted to be renewing our partnership with Williams,” said the Irishman. “We look forward to forging a long-standing relationship, not only for the supply of competitive Formula One engines, but also in the joint development of new technologies that have wider application outside of Formula One.”
Meanwhile, Kevin Kalkhoven one of Cosworth’s investors, was equally pleased that Cosworth had attracted Williams to its ranks for next year. “I am very pleased to see Cosworth engaging with like-minded companies in the development of high-technology solutions,” said Kalkhoven. “Formula One is a great opportunity to showcase technical capabilities that can, with proper application, solve current and emerging challenges in the wider world.”
The Williams coup means Cosworth will now be supplying at least five teams on the grid next season. F1’s new teams USF1, Manor, Campos and Lotus will all be powered by Cosworth, while Red Bull and Toro Rosso are also reportedly interested in switching to the Northamptonshire-based supplier.
Reference: Manipe F1
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