Williams Confirm Long-Term Mercedes Engine Deal

Williams has confirmed a long-term engine deal with German marque Mercedes from 2014 onwards, which will see the Grove-based outfit switch to its fifth engine supplier in fourteen years since its endeavor with BMW-power back in 2000. Since then, Williams has been powered by the likes of Toyota, Cosworth and Renault.

Rumors linking Williams to Mercedes for the 2014 season emerged during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, and comes only several weeks since McLaren announced their return to Honda engines from 2015 onwards. The subject of engine suppliers has become increasingly popular in recent weeks, with Toro Rosso confirming a switch from Ferrari to Renault and Caterham likely to confirm their allegiance to the French engine supplier in the coming days.

Although Mercedes will supply Williams with the Mercedes-Benz Power Unit and Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, the Grove-based outfit will still manufacture their own transmission next season. This move from Williams comes only several months after former Executive Director Toto Wolff switched to Mercedes to become the marque’s Executive Director. The 41-year-old believes the partnership is a win-win situation for both Williams and Mercedes.

Toto Wolff believes the switch will be a win-win situation for both Mercedes and Williams.

“The proud heritage of Williams and the company’s commitment to technological excellence make it a perfect long-term partner for Mercedes-Benz under the new powertrain regulations.” Explained Toto Wolff, “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. We look forward to enjoying much success together over the coming years.”

From 2014 onwards, the technical aspects of a Formula 1 engine will change drastically, with the sport switching from the current normally aspirated 2.4 litre V8 engine to a new 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged hybrid power unit. Mercedes has already unveiled their engine for the 2014 season, which will witness one of the largest technical revamps in the history of the sport. Williams founder and team principal, Sir Frank Williams, has expressed great delight in announcing his team’s technical partnership with Mercedes.

“I’m delighted to announce our new association with Mercedes-Benz for the 2014 Formula One season and beyond.” Enthused Sir 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.”

Since recording their first victory since the 2004 season last year at the Spanish Grand Prix, Williams has endured a frustrating start to the new season. The Grove-based outfit has so far been unable score any points this season, with former race winner Pastor Maldonado and former GP3 Series Champion Valtteri Bottas both suffering a tough start to the 2013 season. However, the switch to Mercedes next season could well provide the team with the technical backing required for a return to their competitive ways.

Picture(s) Copyright © Williams F1 Team & Mercedes AMG Petronas

Tyre Management A Key Improvement Area For Mercedes At Spain

Mercedes are aiming to improve their tyre management during the Spanish Grand Prix next time out, as the German marque aims to improve upon their overall race pace after a slightly disappointing Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite qualifying on pole, Nico Rosberg plummeted through the order to eventually finish 9th.

The underlying reason for this woeful race pace for the German marque was due to severe tyre wear, which has so far been the team’s achilles heel during the opening four races of the season. After a gap of three weeks between the Bahrain and Spanish Grands Prix, the team’s executive director Toto Wolff and team principal Ross Brawn have explained how the team has been working tirelessly back at the factory to find solutions for these issues. Just like the majority of the grid, Mercedes will be introducing several new upgrades for the Spanish Grand Prix which will naturally be evaluated during the three practice sessions prior to the all-important qualifying session and the race.

“In the two weeks since we returned from Bahrain, there has been a lot of hard work taking place in Brackley and Brixworth to prepare for the start of the European season in Barcelona next weekend.” Explained Ross Brawn, “We have focused our efforts in two key areas; finalizing our upgrade package for Spain and understanding our comparative lack of race pace in Bahrain. We have made progress in the latter area and will evaluate some developments over the upcoming race weekends to help improve the situation. We´re not there yet but we are making progress and of course, performing in the race is what really counts.”

Mercedes performed rather well during winter testing around Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, and are hopeful of replicating such pace during the forthcoming race weekend. However, with the change in weather conditions from winter testing and the various improvements up and down the grid, Mercedes are remaining realistic ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. Due to the many laps completed during winter testing, both the team and the drivers believe the Circuit de Catalunya will be the perfect benchmark to asses the team’s new upgrades.

“The three-week break between the Bahrain and Spanish Grands Prix was welcome, as it gave us extra time to analyze in detail what happened at the last race.” Said Toto Wolff, “We have built a good picture of our varying levels of race performance and why we under-performed overall in Bahrain. In Barcelona, we will test some solutions aimed at improving our tyre management in addition to our planned upgrade package. The circuit itself is well known as a benchmark for aerodynamic performance and we performed strongly there at the end of winter testing. Our target is to improve our Sunday afternoon performance to match what we have delivered on Saturday in the past two races. It will certainly be interesting to see what gains everybody has made since the last time we were at the circuit and how the planned upgrade packages work from car to car.”

There is no denying that Mercedes has enjoyed a competitive start to their 2013 campaign, with two back-to-back pole positions and two podium finishes at the hands of Lewis Hamilton. However, their overall lack of race pace has prevented the German marque from battling for race victories with Lotus, Ferrari and Red Bull. Both the team and the drivers will understandably be hoping for an improvement at Barcelona, as the European gets underway.

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Ross Brawn Hungry For Success With Mercedes

As rumors continue to float around the Formula 1 paddock pertaining to Mercedes’s technical line-up, Ross Brawn has discussed his growing hunger to return to the top of the sport. During his time with Benetton, Ferrari and Brawn GP Ross Brawn secured multiple World Championships, and was dubbed by many as a mastermind of the sport.

However, after Brawn GP’s Championship success in 2009 with Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button, Ross Brawn has been struggling to return to the heights of his Benetton and Ferrari days. Many expected great things when his team was rebranded as Mercedes and Michael Schumacher joined Nico Rosberg at the team. Unfortunately the outfit failed to meet the expectations of the F1 fraternity, with Michael Schumacher eventually retiring for a second time and being replaced by Lewis Hamilton.

The Briton’s arrival at Mercedes has thrown a new wave of expectancy over the German marque, with many predicting a competitive season in 2014 due largely to the new regulations set to be introduced. Ross Brawn understands that the current changes within Mercedes could take up to 12 to 18 months to fully come to fruition, but has confirmed he is as hungry as ever to return to the top.

“I think it makes you more ambitious – hungrier to get back to that feeling that you had when you were successful.” Explained Ross Brawn, when asked what affect his lack of recent success has had upon his approach. “Formula One is an incredibly challenging business and one has to be right on several levels to achieve success. We convinced Lewis [Hamilton] to join us, and we put in place a very good technical line-up during 2012 – and the car we’ve got now is reflecting that. It just takes some time to recognize what you have to do; that the corrections that you have to make and the solutions that you have to put in place are a 12- to 18-month process – in any team. Yes, it has been frustrating, but I genuinely feel that we are going in the right direction.”

Ross Brawn was encouraged by Lewis Hamilton’s attitude after the opening test.

During the first pre-season test at Jerez, Mercedes suffered a frustrating start to proceedings with two mechanical failures on their new W04 machine in the first two days. On the opening day Nico Rosberg was struck with an electrical issue after only several laps, ending his first day in the car prematurely. Lewis Hamilton was initially hoping to make up for the team’s lack of track action the following day, yet a brake issue on his car saw him plough into the wall and therefore damage his car in the process.

Ross Brawn was understandably frustrated after the opening two days of the first test, however the team bounced back on the final two days as Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton completed many laps without any issues on the car. Despite the major setback after the opening two days, Ross Brawn was encouraged by Lewis Hamilton’s attitude after his incident on day two. Naturally the issues were frustrating for the team principal, however he remains positive that the team is still on target.

“Of course the first couple of days were very disappointing.” Continued Ross Brawn, “But what was encouraging in that situation was Lewis’s attitude and approach. He was very mature and he understands these complex engineering processes. We explained to him what had happened and he understood and dealt with it. For sure, it was not what we wanted to happen, but it was a useful experience for the team and Lewis and vice versa. So yes, Jerez was disappointing and you don’t want it to happen – not with a new driver in his first run in the new car.

“The car is doing what all our simulations and modeling suggested that it would do. It is not so that we think we’ve got a championship-winning car right now, but the difference we have anticipated or predicted between the 2012 and 2013 car seems to be real, which is always an encouraging sign.”

With Mercedes currently embroiled in rumors regarding the future of Paddy Lowe in the media, Ross Brawn is remaining focused on the matters at hand in making Mercedes a regular race winning outfit alongside the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari. The team has one of the most talked about driver line-ups on the grid this season, and Ross Brawn is as hungry as ever to see his Silver Arrows add to their tally of race victories in the future.

Picture(s) Copyright © Mercedes AMG Petronas

Mercedes Reveal New W04 Machine & Major Sponsor

Mercedes have unveiled their new 2013 challenger, the W04, ahead of the opening day of pre-season testing at Jerez in Spain. The new car was revealed to the F1 media on the main straight of the circuit, by drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Mercedes also unveiled a new partnership with Blackberry.

After an embarrassing failed attempt to reveal their new car on the internet on Sunday afternoon, Mercedes were able to greatly redeem themselves with a flawless unveiling which was broadcast live on YouTube. The launch saw the German marque’s new driver pairing of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg take the covers off of their new W04 car, before then speaking to the media.

The new W04 is yet another evolution of the team’s previous car, featuring many similarities to the outfit’s W03. However, Mercedes have modified the front nose somewhat, with the step-nose design being smoothed out slightly with the introduction of the modesty panel. However, with the ridges along the front nose section, a minor step is still visible at the front of the car.

Mercedes will continue to utilize a semi-coanda exhaust layout, similar to that used on the team’s W03 machine throughout the 2012 season. The layout has been slightly modified, and the team will once again incorporate a push-rod suspension system at the front of the car. Ross Brawn believes Mercedes have the strongest driver line-up on the grid, and is hopeful that such a line-up will help move the team forward.

“The F1 W04 is a clear step forward in sophistication.” Explained Ross Brawn, “2013 marks the start of a second era for our Silver Arrows works team. The restructuring we undertook at the team over the past 18 months are now growing in maturity and this is reflected in the F1 W04, which is a clear step forward in design and detail sophistication over its predecessor. With Lewis and Nico, we have what I believe to be the strongest driver line-up in Formula One and I know that a healthy level of competition between them both will help drive the team forward.”

Probably the biggest attraction to the new Mercedes W04 launch was the introduction of Lewis Hamilton to the team, after the 2008 World Champion completed a controversial move from McLaren to replace Michael Schumacher. The Briton is understandably eager to begin competing for the German marque, and follow in the footsteps of some of the sports greatest drivers.

“I have never seen a team hungrier for success than this one.” Enthused Lewis Hamilton, “It’s a very special day for me to officially present our Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow to the world. There is no company with a longer history in Grand Prix racing than Mercedes-Benz and it is an honor for me to tread in the footsteps of legends like Juan Manuel Fangio, Sir Stirling Moss and Michael Schumacher. This is a new start for me with the team in Brackley but I have worked with Mercedes-Benz for a very long time now, and I learned one thing most of all: Mercedes-Benz doesn’t know how to lose. We are playing a long game here but I know we will have success together and I’m excited to be a big part of making it happen.”

Although pre-season testing for the forthcoming season officially gets underway tomorrow, Mercedes have already run their W04 machine. Nico Rosberg took the new car for a spin around the Jerez circuit earlier this morning prior to the launch, and Lewis Hamilton will get his first taste of his new car later today. The outfit will then begin their pre-season testing plans tomorrow, along with the majority of the 2013 grid.

Picture Copyright © Mercedes AMG Petronas

Susie Wolff Declares Williams Loyalty

Susie Wolff has declared loyalty to Williams, after her husband Toto Wolff’s switch to Mercedes from the Grove-based outfit. Although Toto Wolff will become the Executive Director of Mercedes, Susie Wolff has expressed via Twitter that she will remain with Williams as their development driver.

Amid several personnel changes within the Formula 1 paddock, which have included Toto Wolff’s switch to Mercedes and Timo Glock’s surprise departure from Marussia, Susie Wolff has declared her loyalty to Williams despite rumors the 30-year-old could follow her husband to Mercedes. However, Susie Wolff has confirmed via the social networking site Twitter that she will remain with Williams throughout the forthcoming season, as she continues to work as the team’s development driver.

“Just to clarify, I am a proud member of the Williams F1 Team,” insisted Susie Wolff via Twitter. “There was never any question of me leaving. Very happy for my husband, we will be fighting him hard on track!

Despite Toto Wolff’s departure from Williams, the Grove-based outfit will still be hopeful of another competitive season in 2013. Pastor Maldonado will start his third season at the outfit alongside rookie Valtteri Bottas, as the duo aim to continue fighting at the sharp-end of the order. The new Williams FW35 will be unveiled later than the majority of the other teams on the grid, prior to the second pre-season test at Barcelona on February 19th.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Toto Wolff To Become Executive Director Of Mercedes F1 Team

It has been officially confirmed that Toto Wolff will leave the Williams F1 team with immediate effect to take up the role of Executive Director of the Mercedes F1 team, following on from rumors which surfaced on Sunday from German newspaper Bild. The Austrian will join Niki Lauda and Ross Brawn in the management of Mercedes.

Despite Toto Wolff’s sudden departure from Williams, the 41-year-old will still retain his shareholding of the Grove-based outfit. Co-founder of the Williams F1 team Sir Frank Williams will remain the team principal and majority shareholder in the team, as Toto Wolff’s role within the team will become shared between the Board’s Executive Committee. During his time working with Williams, Toto Wolff had become a valuable asset to the team, as he both assisted Valtteri Bottas’s rise from reserve driver to second driver and saw his wife Susie Wolff become the team’s development driver.

“I would like to thank Toto for his hard work, dedication and commitment to the team during his time as a Director of the Company.” Said Sir Frank Williams, “He was a key support to me as Executive Director last season, deputizing at a number of races when I was unable to attend. However, positions such as the one offered to him by Mercedes do not come around often. Toto has a long history with them and I certainly was not going to stand in the way of him accepting this once in a lifetime opportunity. Toto will retain his shareholding in Williams and will always have a place at Grove but make no mistake; we will fight him hard on the racetrack!”

The appointment of Toto Wolff as Executive Director of the Mercedes F1 team is another addition to an already strong management line-up at the German marque, to add to their already strong driver line-up of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton who have a total of 22 victories and one World Championship between them. Toto Wolff will partner fellow countryman and former triple-World Champion Niki Lauda in the management department of the team, with former Benetton, Ferrari and Brawn GP mastermind Ross Brawn at their side.

“As an entrepreneur, investor and motorsport manager, Toto Wolff has proven that this sport runs in his blood; at the same time, he is also well aware of the economic necessities of the business.” Explained Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars and Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG. “With Toto Wolff, we have gained for our Formula 1 team not only an experienced motorsport specialist, but also a longstanding enthusiast of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Together with him and Niki Lauda, we will further develop our motorsport activities and guide our Silver Arrows into the next era.”

Toto Wolff is understandably thrilled with his new appointment at Mercedes, a marque which the 41-year-old Austrian has been a keen enthusiast and friend of for many years. Despite this exciting new challenge for Wolff, he has also explained how he will miss the Grove-based Williams outfit, and that he is leaving the team on good terms.

“Mercedes is one of the most important participants in motorsport worldwide.” Said Toto Wolff, “I am not only a big fan, but also a longstanding friend and enthusiast of the brand. I am looking forward to the challenge and, along with preparing for a successful racing season, also want to focus on the targeted promotion of new talent. I am leaving Williams on good terms and I will miss the team and friends I have made there. I’d also like to wish Frank and the whole of Williams the best of luck for the future.”

Mercedes will launch their new 2013 challenger at Jerez on February 4th, ahead of the start of pre-season testing for the new season. Nico Rosberg will become the first driver to drive the new W104, before Lewis Hamilton begins his new chapter in Formula 1 with the German marque. With such an experienced driver and management line-up at Mercedes, could Lewis Hamilton have made the right decision after all?

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Toto Wolff Linked To Management Role At Mercedes

Recent reports have linked Toto Wolff to a senior management position at Mercedes, following on from Norbert Haug’s departure from the German marque last year. These reports speculate that Toto Wolff would assume the role previously held by Haug within the Mercedes Formula 1 team.

As preparations for the new season continues to gather momentum, it seems the 41-year-old is set to leave his position of Executive Director and Shareholder of the Williams Formula 1 team in a switch which will see him join Mercedes in a senior management role. This could potentially see Wolff work alongside fellow countryman Niki Lauda, as the German marque aims for a much more competitive 2013 season with Nico Rosberg and former McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel.

Currently Toto Wolff is the co-owner of the HWA company which runs Mercedes-Benz’s DTM programme, which coincidentally ran the Austrian’s wife Susie Wolff during her campaign in DTM. The 30-year-old female star has since become the development driver at Williams, and it is currently unknown whether she will switch to Mercedes should the rumors linking Toto Wolff to the German marque come to fruition.

Both Toto Wolff and the Mercedes Formula 1 Team decided against commenting on the recent rumors, which surfaced in German newspaper Bild. However, it is believed within the F1 fraternity that a deal between the two parties has already been struck, despite no official confirmation from either Mercedes or Williams on the matter. This move would unquestionably add to an already strong team at Mercedes, with the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Ross Brawn and Niki Lauda all working to push the German marque further up the Formula 1 ladder.

Picture Copyright © Williams F1 Team

Bruno Senna Confident He Can Be A Winner In 2012

Bruno Senna believes he has the ability to win races in 2012, especially after team-mate Pastor Maldonado stormed to an illustrious victory at the Spanish Grand Prix earlier in the year. Since then, however, Maldonado has struggled to score points, whereas Bruno Senna has risen to the challenge of scoring consistently for the Grove-based outfit.

Since Maldonado’s victory in Spain, the Venezuelan driver has endured an incredibly frustrating season visiting the stewards and receiving numerous penalties. In stark contrast to Maldonado’s misfortune, Senna has consistently finished in the points in the majority of the races since the Spanish Grand Prix. However, Senna has been unable to finish higher than 7th at the Hungarian Grand Prix, and has failed to qualify as high as Maldonado on the grid.

Regardless of Senna’s recent inability to finish near the podium, the Brazilian driver is confident he has what it takes to win a race this season. With the likes of Sergio Perez finishing 2nd at the Italian Grand Prix last time out, it shows that a midfield team and driver most certainly have the ability to win races and finish on the podium in this highly unpredictable season.

“I’m sure we can [win a race].” Enthused Bruno Senna, “We’ve seen a few weekends where we’ve seen someone has just suddenly jumped to the front and won the race and had a dominant weekend. If you get everything in the right window, with the way the cars work then we are more than capable of having a good result.”

With Toto Wolff stating that the driving line-up for Williams isn’t set in stone for next season, both Bruno Senna and Pastor Maldonado could be fighting for their seats at Williams in the next few races. Due to Maldonado’s wealthy backing for Venezuelan petroleum company PDVSA and the fact he has already won a race this season, it’s expected the 27-year-old will remain with Williams.

However, Bruno Senna could well be fighting to remain a Williams driver. When asked what the Brazilian driver thought would be required to cement his stay at Williams, Senna hinted at remaining consistent as the major target within the team.

“I think the focus is to continue scoring points consistently.” Continued Bruno Senna, “There’s no target for anything. The target for me has always been, since the beginning of the season, to qualify and do the best job I can in the races and I’m sure that, coming to the next few races, I had a pretty decent run last year in a few of them, and I think that with added experience, I can improve and do a good job. Of course every time I get in the car I aim to get a podium or a win, but this is not always possible and if we can do something like that then great news for me.”

Williams enter the Singapore Grand Prix confident that the tight and twisty confines of the Marina Bay street circuit with benefit their Renault-powered FW34 machine. With the high downforce nature of the circuit, Williams will naturally be striving for a result similar to the Spanish Grand Prix once track again gets underway this weekend.

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