Williams confirm “long-term” Mercedes engine deal

2014 F1 season

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Williams have confirmed they will use Mercedes engines from next season.

Mercedes will supply engines and energy recovery systems to the team under Formula One’s new technical regulations which come into force next year.

“I’m delighted to announce our new association with Mercedes-Benz for the 2014 Formula One season and beyond,” said team owner Frank Williams.

“Mercedes-Benz has been one of the sport’s most successful engine suppliers and we believe that they will have an extremely competitive engine package.”

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Renault for their continued hard work since we renewed our engine partnership at the beginning of the 2012 season. We have enjoyed a strong relationship that has resulted in much success over the years, including powering us to winning ways once again last year at the Spanish Grand Prix.”

Deputy team principal Claire Williams described the deal as “exciting news” and added they were “pleased to conclude this agreement early in the season”.

Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff said Williams were a “perfect long-term partner for Mercedes-Benz”.

Wolff, who was Williams’ executive director before leaving to join Mercedes in January, added: “It is a win-win situation for both HPP and Williams, which will ensure HPP is able to supply at least three teams on a long-term basis under the new regulations and could open interesting new perspectives for technology transfer.”

Williams have lacked stability in their engine supplier in recent years. Since concluding a six-year deal with BMW at the end of 2005 they switched between Cosworth, Toyota, Cosworth again and now current supplier Renault.

Renault announced last week it will supply engines to Toro Rosso from next season.

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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83 comments on “Williams confirm “long-term” Mercedes engine deal”

  1. Funny how excited they were at bringing back the Williams-Renault partnership and now they’re splitting after two years already.

    1. I was thinking about that as well. Kinda reminds me of recently signed engine supply contract…

      1. @jcost – Sorry, but I think that’s completely unfair. Just because Williams signed with Renault and the partnership failed, it does not mean that McLaren’s new-found relationship with Honda is destined for the same fate. They’re two compeltely different teams, two completely different engine suppliers, and because of the changes to the engine regulation, they are two completely different engines.

        1. Still, i think that teams that are using the past to get some more pedigree (like Williams-Renault, Mercedes Silver Arrow, Jaguar with British racing green, Caterham using Team Lotus in 2010), end up not living up to the task. It can help as a short term marketing boost but will not make you faster. Its usually teams that are looking forward that go quickly. Not ones that are trying to turn back the clock and exploit their earlier success (or the success of someone else). Will McLaren- Honda turn out that way? Who knows. But it will have nothing to do with the success that they had in the past.

        2. The partnership didn’t fail. Is not like they will have done much better with any other engine in the back of the car. It’s just that they found cheaper engines. That’s all.

    2. Last in, first out?

  2. Good news for Williams, they really do need to get into bed with a major manufacturer and I hope this this will result in an up turn in their performance next season. Having a team with such great history languishing in the midfield just isn’t right.

    1. OmarR-Pepper (@)
      30th May 2013, 15:05

      they really do need to get into bed with a major manufacturer

      @geemac they are with Renault, the current champion’s engine, and as far as i know, a mayor French manufacturer. If they are languishing in the midfield is because of some internal management or logistics problem. The solution would not come attached to neither Mercedes nor NASA rockets, they need to analyze themselves first.

      1. jimscreechy (@)
        30th May 2013, 15:11

        Or development problem?

      2. I am thinking it may be facilities problem.

  3. So, “Williams-Mercedes”. It’s a bit polysyllabic. With that and Toro Rosso-Renault there will be some new combinations to get used to next year.

    1. and Marussia-Ferrari

      1. Maruferrari :-)

        1. Scuderia Ferrari and its feeder team Marussia Ferrari ;-)

          Did I blabber something here?

          1. Ben (@scuderia29)
            30th May 2013, 15:41

            @seahorse ooo with jules bianchi and that

          2. Ferrusia

        2. MaFerrari?

      2. Now if only Marussia could convince Ferrari to sell them low priced engines for their auto department.

  4. Zantkiller (@)
    30th May 2013, 10:48

    So it is looking increasingly like McLaren are on their own with Honda.

    1. Remember, Honda aren’t coming into the sport until 2015. There is plenty of time for them to find a second team to supply between now and then. It has been speclated that Lotus will re-sign with Renault for one season, then cross over to Honda at the end of the 2014 season. Sauber have also been linked to a move to Honda.

    2. @zantkiller Let’s wait and see what Lotus does, as it was always considered the most realistic second customer of Honda

      1. I think they will jump to Honda in 2016. They will stay a year more with Renault because of contracts and the chance to evaluate the Honda engine by seeing it in the back of a Mclaren. Also that way they will take an engine that has passed any first running problems.

  5. I’m sure the staff at Grove are delighted to know they’ll be getting some better company cars.

    1. @robk23 …less so the McLaren employees in 2015.

      1. @keithcollantine – I’m not so sure about that. The 2015 Acura NSX looks pretty nice. And the HSV-010 was pretty nifty, so it’s a shame they never made a production version. It’s a step down from Mercedes cars, of course, but they’re hardly going to be driving around in cars from Great Wall or Chery.

        And if teams are making decisions about their engine suppliers based on which company cars they’re going to get, then they’re in Formula 1 for the wrong reasons.

        1. @prisoner-monkeys Honda aren’t going to give that many NSXs away though are they? Button will get one and maybe Perez if he promises not to go anywhere near Raikkonen with it.

          1. Well, with Button waiting for the P1 to be delivered, who knows what they will be driving.
            But I think that with the combined Honda and Acura model ranges there will be enough to choose from. Remember how Mika was presented an A Class years ago, I bet he wasn’t all that thrilled by it either!

          2. …and maybe Perez if he promises not to go anywhere near Raikkonen with it.

            Ahaha, good one! :)

      2. Oh and those poor guys at Toro Rosso!

        1. RenaultSport Meganes!!!

          1. yes much better than a Fiat.

  6. I wonder what Newey could do with a Merc powerplant… An RBR-Mercedes mmmhh. But alas, I don’t think that will happen.

    1. 2 WDC and 1 WCC in 7 years.

    2. @dragoll

      Yep, what Osiso says, Newey was at Mclaren for 7 years with mercedes…. he did way worse than with red bull and renault

      1. that was back when ferrari were uri gellering the rules

      2. @melkurion I know about his exploits at McLaren, however, I think that Newey feels more comfortable in the RBR environment and has really taken his designs to the next level. Hence why I think an RBR Merc would be a serious weapon, given that the Renault is a little down on top end speed.

        1. Renault is still better for Newy because it allows his crazy tight packages and has better response and fuel consumption. Merc engine isn’t better than the Renault.

    3. @dragoll
      He was with them for 8 or 9 seasons (not 7) and he only won 2 WDCs and 1 WCC.
      I really don’t get this hype about Mercedes. They were THE worst engine for a good half a decade probably and have managed have a big part in costing Kimi one or two titles. Perhaps Hakkinen too. That’s not to say that they didn’t contribute to their successes too, but I’d say Ferrari and Renault were much better in my opinion. Mercedes only managed to get on the level of Ferrari and Renault once engines were freezed.

  7. Well, at least I never expected Williams-Ferrari.

    1. The thought of that name makes me shudder a bit! :p

      1. Indeed, that would feel like sacrilege almost!

  8. Could someone help me a bit, not quite sure what the whole situation looks like. From what I gather that’s how it’s looking at the moment:
    Mercedes – McLaren (only 2014, Honda from 2015), Mercedes, Williams, Force India
    Renault – Red Bull, Toro Rosso, (Lotus?)
    Ferrari – Ferrari, Marussia?, Sauber?
    And where’s Caterham in all that? Staying with Renault or moving to Mercedes?

    1. @enigma – Caterham are already confirmed to have Renault engines; likewise, Sauber has a Ferrari deal (I think). Marussia and Lotus are the only teams without plans in place yet.

    2. @enigma It’s widely thought that the deal between Caterham and Renault is done already, waiting to be annoubced soon. they have an extensive partnership developing including road vehicles. Lotus are rumored to be considering a switch to Honda when they arrive. The rest is as you wrote

    3. Caterham has already confirmed that they have no intention to change away from their partner (remember they also cooperate with the Alpine project), although they have not announced a contract signed yet @enigma

      Otherwise its only Lotus that is not confirmed as yet, but I would say your estimate is right, although they might be looking at changing to Honda in 2016 or something

    4. Cheers everyone.

  9. You heard it here first! “Takes Bow”

  10. The biggest positive of this deal is, that Williams will not be able to pull another retro-ish livery out of the bag, and have to come up with something new.
    This being Williams, it could well mean they stay largely unchanged though, with white and blue (surely they would not put silver on the car, would they?) in some variant.

    1. @bascb – I do think Williams need a change in livery. Even moreso than McLaren. It has been noted that Daniel Juncadella is a Mercedes-backed driver, and that his career has been supported by the Astana Group, who also have (very) minor branding on the FW35. It’s conceivable that this could lead to a greater relationship between the three, which would pave the way for a new livery. Light blue is a colour that is criminally under-used in Formula 1 liveries.

      1. maybe something like the light blue with white Benetton of ’95-97 liveries @prisoner-monkeys? Or more like that Danka Arrows Damon Hill drove in ’97, or maybe even going a bit in the way of this livery – ugly car though!

        And then we have had beautiful Ligier cars in blue and white too off course

      2. Williams have traditionally had very boring liveries aside from the times in the 80s and 90s with a nice splash of yellow. Even the Rothmans livery wasn’t outstanding, although at least it was done in a classy way and is iconic. The trouble is that the expanses of dark blue from their recent history are nice, but not exciting enough.

      3. Does anyone know if Mercedes are going to be partners of Williams though, in the same way McLaren still are and sport Mercedes’ badges on their cars? If they are, then we could well see silver being incorporated into their livery next year. But if they aren’t, like Force India, I can just see it being much the same as it is now (as much as I hope it isn’t).

    2. I am A-OK with this, with silver on the menu, and William’s dark blue color, we could be in for a treat. Hopefully Claire has a better eye for aesthetics than her father…

  11. Good luck to Williams Mercedes! Hope the deal is really long-term and not 2 seasons. Though to be fair @keithcollantine you have a minor mistake there: the Williams Toyota partnership has lasted for 3 consecutive seasons, so more than two :)

    1. @montreal95 So I have, changed the text now, thanks.

  12. Seems like the stressing of “long term’ in the title is intended to be a dig at Williams consistency in switching between engine suppliers (in a sarcastic way though)

    1. @seahorse It’s a quote, though I see why you’re reading it that way.

      1. @keithcollantine Dint mean to offend you mate. Felt it conveys that meaning and I take it lightly. :)

  13. So Williams will buy the complete powerplant-ERS solution, but they will provide their own transmission/gearbox (as opposed to FI who will be buying the complete set). A bit sad to see WHP now is no longer involved, although the guys might be very much interested in having a good look at what Mercedes supplies them next year!

  14. I kinda wish this new Mercedes engine bombs quite badly. I mean, everyone seems to be taking it for granted, way too much, that this will be something light years ahead of Ferrari and Renault, as if they have already done a season with it.
    This is F1 after all. If any team could be that sure of their success, one year in advance, going into a completely new set of rules, we would never see the kind of head scratching and similar “correlations stuff” or failed updates we are seeing on a daily basis.

  15. Pretty sure Renault have been far more successful than Mercedes-Benz…

    1. Most wins per engine manufacturer:

      Ferrari 222
      Ford/Cosworth 176
      Renault 154
      Mercedes 97
      Honda 72

      1. It would be interesting if someone can provide a breakup of these victories by engine manufacturers according to different formula e.g. V10, V8, turbo et al.

      2. Since Mercedes re-entered the sport in 1995 (in the midst of Renault dominance with Benetton and Williams) the wins breakdown is 92 vs 95 (Mercedes vs Renault). They have been incredibly even over that entire time. In recent years Renault have clearly been more successful, but largely because Red Bull have gotten their act together so well.

        1. Mercedes entered in 1994 with Sauber. Which means, probably some 8-10 more wins for Renault.
          The thing is, Mercedes has an even weaker record with delivering the titles (of course, not saying it’s up to them, just pointing out statistics).

          Since Renault left after 1997 and returned few years later, you could even count 1992 and 1993 for Renault, which would make Mercedes even poorer. :)

          That would be 10 WDCs and 11 WCCs. They even had run of 6 consecutive WCCs from 92-97.
          It’s hard to tell how much difference will an engine mean next year, but since 2006 or 2007 it was not that much of a difference. Renault actually had a masterstroke with their cold blowing with Red Bull, too.

          Hard to see how come so many believe Mercedes will be THE engine, when noone can me certain, nor do statistics speak in their favor.

          1. “Hard to see how come so many believe Mercedes will be THE engine”

            Probably because energy recovery will be far more important next year, and they seem to have had the best KERS system for a while.

            Interesting that Daimler has an investment in Tesla motors (and a license to their tech).

    2. But since Mercedes stopped constantly blowing up in the mid 00s the thing that has held them back has been the teams not delivering.

  16. Lucas Wilson (@full-throttle-f1)
    30th May 2013, 12:36

    Mercedes engines have won 2 world championships in the past 10 years (2008, 2009), Renault engines have won 5 world championships in the past 10 years (2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012), so why the change to Mercedes? lol

    1. @full-throttle-f1 From 2014 onward it is going to be turbo charged engines. So I guess it would open up the field a little bit for the engine manufacturers.

      1. And who introduced turbo engines to F1…. ;)

        1. Yes, and if we think Mercedes currently qualifying well and falling back in the race is bad, think about how those original Renault turbos fared…brilliant in qualifying, but usually blew up halfway through the race.

    2. The engines have been frozen for the past 10 years so they are not much of a differentiator. most of it is down to aero. Red Bull would have won all those championships with a merc engine as well. Its not the Renault engine that won them the trophies.

      Plus everything will change in 2014, so it makes no sense for Williams to make their decision based on the last 10 years, is it? They expect Merc to produce a better V6 engine thats all.

      1. Not necessarily. I recall reading that the renault engine had less power but was lighter, or occupied less space than the Mercedes one. This can influence aerodynamics. Of course a great designer like Newey is key, but Red Bull developed the aerodynamics around the engine. There should be more to engines than just raw power, I think.

  17. Williams-Renault, Act II, was still a more successful partnership than their Toyota deal and both of their deals with Cosworth since 2006. Just look at the win tally.

  18. Wonder if they’ll get better engines than McLaren do with their “short-term” deal…

    This deal has Toto Wolff’s hairy palms all over it, I feel a bit uneasy about that for some reason.
    What’s the “technology transfer” – just racing drivetrains, or could it involve hybrid power, flywheels and other areas Williams are diversifying into?

  19. Speaking of Mercedes: check out this video, made this morning @ Silverstone. Film day? 2011 car?

  20. I thought Williams was one of the leaders with their KERS product. Thought they were even selling it to teams outside of Formula 1, so I’m surprised they would take Mercedes’ KERS over their own.

    1. Williams helped developed the Porsche Flywheel Kers system, a different system then the one used in F1, plus with the addition of the energy recover from the turbo it is probably easier for them to just buy the Mercedes package, at least to start with while they have other more important issues to sort out.

  21. Problem with Mercedes is that they have their own team and a customer team doesn’t get the same attention. That’s why McLaren jumps ship and switches to Honda. Williams however has 3 Mio reasons to switch engines at least that’s what rumors are saying that Mercedes delivers quite a bit cheaper than Renault.

  22. I thought the Mercedes deal came with a gearbox…. why is Williams still making their own?

    1. Probably so they can keep making tiny little ones.

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