The Williams Racing F1 team, partnered by Acronis, has confirmed that it has expanded its technical collaboration with Mercedes to include the supply of certain transferable components from 2022.
The historic Grove-based team announced towards the end of 2020 a takeover from Dorliton Capital in order to ensure its long-term survival in the sport with a further injection of funds. And now, Williams will benefit from the use of Mercedes gearboxes and related hydraulic components without building its own units in-house.
“I’m pleased to see our great relationship with Mercedes extend beyond the supply of engines,” commented Simon Roberts, Team Principal, commented. “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.”
Read more from Team Principal Simon Roberts following today's announcement 👇
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) January 5, 2021
The latest news will come as a further boost to the team that has enjoyed the benefit of Mercedes power since the hybrid era began in 2014, allowing the team to focus its resources in other areas, such as the design and manufacture of other chassis parts.
“We are pleased to expand our technical cooperation with Williams through this new agreement,” added Toto Wolff, CEO and Team Principal of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. “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.”