Breaking news
Formula 1
Williams to use more Mercedes F1 parts from 2022
Williams has announced it will enjoy closer technical ties with Mercedes in Formula 1 from 2022, using more parts designed by its power unit supplier.
Luke Smith
Edited: Jan 5, 2021, 9:49 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Williams has been powered by Mercedes since the start of the V6 hybrid era in 2014, but has made all other parts in-house and stressed pride in its independence.
But following a takeover by Dorilton Capital in August and a change in management at Williams, the decision has been taken to draw closer to Mercedes from next year.
Williams announced on Tuesday that it had "expanded its technical collaboration with Mercedes to include the supply of certain transferable components from 2022".
The deal will see Williams use Mercedes gearboxes and related-hydraulic components, two parts it has always built in-house.
Williams has been powered by Mercedes-Benz since the hybrid era began in 2014 and from 2022, the team will also use Mercedes gearboxes and related hydraulic components.
"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," the statement reads.
"Williams 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 Williams team principal Simon Roberts.
"Williams is an independent team, but Formula 1 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."
Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff added: "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."
Williams has fielded Mercedes young driver George Russell in F1 since the start of 2019, and is signed to keep using its power units through to 2025.
Teams are permitted to share certain non-listed parts with other teams, with existing relationships in place between Mercedes and Racing Point, Ferrari and Haas, and Red Bull and AlphaTauri.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article McLaren F1 driver Norris tests positive for COVID-19
Next article Can-Am footage shows McLaren's racing soul
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Luke Smith
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
Formula 1
Formula 1
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Formula 1
Formula 1
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Formula 1
Formula 1
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
More from
Williams
James Vowles explains request for review of F1 cost cap
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
James Vowles explains request for review of F1 cost cap
Williams Racing is suing a local garage owner for £1million
Formula 1
Formula 1
Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Williams Racing is suing a local garage owner for £1million
Latest news
Why Mercedes switched George Russell to its old F1 car spec in Singapore
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
16 min
Why Mercedes switched George Russell to its old F1 car spec in Singapore
Max Verstappen found responsible for FP1 clash at Portimao GTWC finale
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 1 h
Max Verstappen found responsible for FP1 clash at Portimao GTWC finale
“Wow, okay” – How Max Verstappen’s team-mate Ben Barnicoat reacted to his early GTWC driving
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 2 h
“Wow, okay” – How Max Verstappen’s team-mate Ben Barnicoat reacted to his early GTWC driving
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe