Williams have announced that they are extending their technical partnership with Mercedes for 2022 F1 season.
Having been running Mercedes power units since 2014, Williams will be able to receive ‘supply of certain transferable components’ from next season.
As part of the deal, Williams will also use Mercedes gearboxes and hydraulic components to enable the implementation of a ‘more efficient design and manufacturing process, having previously built their own gearboxes and hydraulics in-house but will now shift resources to ‘other performance areas’.
Williams will however continue to create other chassis parts within their factory as normal.
Speaking on the extension of Williams’ technical partnership with Mercedes, Team Principal – Simon Roberts said; “I’m pleased to see our great relationship with Mercedes extend beyond the supply of engines.”
Roberts acknowledged that the team is independent but stated that with the evolution of F1, Williams “must be agile to react to the current climate” to ensure that they’re able to be competitive on track.
Former McLaren Operations Director, Roberts also spoke of how positive it is to have a “long-term agreement with Mercedes…” heading forwards whilst retaining own in-house design and manufacturing capabilities.
Ex Williams Executive Director and now joint Mercedes owner, Toto Wolff is “pleased” at the expansion of Mercedes’ “technical cooperation” with his former team.
Wolff also spoke of the logic behind this decision with new financial rules kicking in this season and technical regulation changes coming in 2022, saying; “For Williams, it makes sense to acquire the integrated powertrain after running our power units since 2014….”
As for the benefit to Mercedes, Wolff said; “… and for our team, it makes sense in terms of economies of scale to supply another team under the new rules.”
Williams currently runs Mercedes junior, George Russell in one of their race seats but with Sir Lewis Hamilton out of contract at the Silver Arrows, this deal has come at an ideal time if discussions with Hamilton fail and Russell is favoured for a promotion to Mercedes subject to his Williams contract.
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