| As the relationship between
BMW and the WilliamsF1 team nears the end of its third year, and with only
two years left in their agreement there are indications that BMW is looking
at increasing their involvement in Formula One even to the point of building
their own car powered by a BMW engine.
In a recent interview BMW
Motorsport Director Mario Theissen hinted that BMW could move beyond simply
been an engine supplier. This is similar to the process that saw Renault
move from been an engine supplier to operating their own Formula One team.
Toyota is another example of a car manufacturer preferring to run their own
team rather than simply supply engines.
But having said this Theissen
also made it clear that even though BMW was considering all options
continuing its partnership with WilliamsF1 was a preferred option. In the
short term Theissen spoke of the need to finish the next two years of the
agreement with WilliamsF1 in a very strong position.
In an interview in Autosport Theissen said: "The top priority is to have as
much success as possible in the coming two years. We are totally satisfied
with the cooperation we have today.
"We’re sure to improve it over the coming two years, and what we want to
have in the long-term is maximum success. We will carefully go through all
the opportunities we have, and continued cooperation with Williams is among
the preferred options."
Adding to the
comments made by DR Theissen fellow BMW Motorsport Director Gerhard Berger
said that BMW was happy with their support of the WilliamsF1 team through
their engine supply agreement.
Berger added: "We have a great relationship with Williams. We also have a
contract with them until the end of 2004. For now we will concentrate on
that."
Despite their commitment to the next two
years it would seem that beyond this anything is possible including a BMW
works team.
Even though team principals Frank Williams and Patrick Head refused an offer
from BMW to purchase a small stake in the WilliamsF1 team, similar to that
which Mercedes Benz has with McLaren, Frank Williams would ideally
like to retain the backing of BMW well beyond the end of the current
contract.
"It would certainly be to the benefit of Williams to stay with BMW well
beyond that," Williams said. In order to continue their relationship
Williams may be forced into allowing BMW to buy into the WilliamsF1 team.
As for 2003 the WilliamsF1 team is reported to be producing a new radical
FW25 which will enable the team to challenge Ferrari after been let down by
a chassis that did not come up to the requirements necessary to challenge
the F2002. |
