Williams expands technical partnership with Mercedes

In its quest to pull itself up the running order in F1, Williams has expanded its technical collaboration with engine supplier Mercedes.

The Grove-based outfit has undergone a difficult period in Formula 1, persistently making up the rear of the field since 2018, scoring just 8 points in three seasons and failing to achieve a single top-ten finish in 2020.

The team also underwent an ownership change last year, with the Williams family selling its holding to US investment firm Dorilton Capital.

But the new owners of F1's third most successful team are determined to improve Williams' fortunes in the future.

Williams initiated its technical partnership with Mercedes at the start of the hybrid era in F1 in 2014. From 2022, the team will also use Mercedes gearboxes and related hydraulic components.

"Historically, Williams has built its own gearboxes and hydraulics in-house, however, the increased partnership with Mercedes will enable Williams to implement a more efficient design and manufacturing process in-house in the long-term, allowing the team to focus its resources more effectively in other performance areas," Williams said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Parallel to the expanded tie-up, the British outfit will continue to design and manufacture other chassis parts internally.

"I’m pleased to see our great relationship with Mercedes extend beyond the supply of engines," said team boss Simon Roberts.

"Williams is an independent team, but Formula One is always evolving, and as a team we must be agile to react to the current climate in order to put the team in the best position to be competitive on track.

"This long-term agreement with Mercedes is a positive step and forms part of our strategic objectives for the future whilst we will still retain our design and manufacturing capabilities in-house."

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Toto Wolff, CEO and Team Principal of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team concluded:

"We are pleased to expand our technical cooperation with Williams through this new agreement. For Williams, it makes sense to acquire the integrated powertrain after running our power units since 2014 and for our team, it makes sense in terms of economies of scale to supply another team under the new rules.

"This is a project we have been discussing with Williams for some time and I am glad we have been able to bring this extension to fruition."

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