If BMW and Williams split...

[AiD1]

.. then what?

Will BMW race as a manufacturer with their own engine and chassis and will Williams venture with another team?

:confused:

[The DJ 27]

I think the deal for BMW to supply Sauber next year is signed and sealed. The rumour is that BMW would then buy out Peter Sauber to run their own team. No idea who Williams would end up with. Customer Toyota or Cosworth units, unless FW has a new manufacturer (VW?) up his sleeve

[FourWheelDrift]

The DJ 27 said:

unless FW has a new manufacturer (VW?) up his sleeve

Might be badged as an Audi, they no longer run the Bentleys or factory Audi sportscars

[The DJ 27]

But, Audi are building a prototype to the new LMP1 rules for Le Mans next year. I doubt they would want to detract from any future Le Mans success by badging the F1 effort as Audi as well. They may even call it Lamborghini or SEAT, since these are apparently the two major 'sporting' brands within VAG. Williams-Lamborghini has a better ring to it that Williams-SEAT, doesn't it?

[pwig]

Wouldn't be the first time there was a Lambo powered F1 car

[D_Mike]

After all BMWs spiel recently it was funny to see their engine eat itself yesterday.

[racefan_uk]

pwig said:

Wouldn't be the first time there was a Lambo powered F1 car

Yes, but the last ones were shit!

One question I thought about since the rumour of a BMW/Williams split.

Will that make Button's move to Williams viable? I'd have thought that he'll have a clause in his contract stating that they have to have an engine deal that can win the World Championship. He's better off staying with BAR as it is anyway!

>> Edited by racefan_uk on Monday 13th June 10:58

[andyps]

Honda customer engine - I think from comments about the past relationship they have made recently FW & PH would be happy with Honda.

[FourWheelDrift]

Really? Ok they had success with Honda when they were suppliers but Honda were quick to jump ship to McLaren for the 1988 season leaving Williams to run underpowered Judd V8's. I seem to recall they weren't very happy with it at the time. With Red Bull taking Ferrari engines next year, their contract might just be moved to Williams for one season or more if they are competitive. With new engine regs next year it might all be a bit of a gamble.

Honda are the only ones to have run a 2.4 V8 so far in testing when they ran one at Mugello.

GP News said:

Honda V8 runs at Mugello The British American Racing test last week at Mugello resulted in the BAR-Hondas going fastest and completing an impressive number of laps. Officially the team was evaluating "further aerodynamic upgrades for the Spanish Grand Prix, as well as various tyre programmes and the introduction of the latest specification engines from Honda". What they did not say was that the latest specification engines were the V8 engines for 2006. The engine was fitted into a new prototype chassis which was run by Anthony Davidson and Enrique Bernoldi. Davidson completed a record test distance for the team over one day and also set the fastest time of the day 1m20.652s, two one-hundreths ahead of Takuma Sato and ahead of the Ferraris of Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher. On the second day Bernoldi completed 151 laps with the car.

So no wonder they are trying to gain Honda's favour.

[aeropilot]

Williams might still get offered 'customer' spec BMW V8's, but I can't see them going for that if as I imagine BMW would charge 'em a fortune for it, and as the relationship seems to have soured so much, even that may be unlikely.
Options, well as has been said they seem to be courting Honda, but with the JB farce last year, I can't see Honda being to keen to see JB go to Williams (he be mad to now IMHO) and then supply them with engines as well....!!
Renault of course are the other manufacturer they appear to be courting, but again, I'm not convinced that will happen.
Leaves them in a potential pickle really.

VAG have repeatedly said they are not interested in coming into F1.

[andyps]

How about they get Honda engines in return for BAR keeping Jenson Button? Just a thought.

I know they were unhappy when Honda jumped ship to Mclaren but I am sure I read ages ago that FW understood that Honda felt they had a better chance with Mclaren as it was shortly after FW had his accident so an unstable time for the Williams team.

At the end of the day, Frank is a racer and if he stands a chance of winning with Honda engines and he can have them any history is likely to be forgotten.

[rallysanf]

I know things have gone bad between BMW and Williams, but I thought I heard a mention at the weekend that the current Williams/BMW deal runs to 2009?

Did I imagine this?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4083808.stm

Link above is where I saw it. Will Williams rollover and let BMW swan off into the sunset? Without another manufacturer deal in place,I can't imagine so.

[racefan_uk]

rallysanf said:

I know things have gone bad between BMW and Williams, but I thought I heard a mention at the weekend that the current Williams/BMW deal runs to 2009? Did I imagine this? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4083808.stm Link above is where I saw it. Will Williams rollover and let BMW swan off into the sunset? Without another manufacturer deal in place,I can't imagine so.

It's amazing what loopholes are written into contracts, especially in F1. That and a large cheque with several zero's on the end of it. Will make the pain a lot easier to take I'm sure.