Currently reading: Williams 'keen on VW F1 support'
German media claims that the Williams F1 team is keen on being used for VW's works entry

Frank Williams wants his F1 team to be used to run Volkswagen Group’s expected entry into the sport from 2013, according to a report in Germany.

Williams last won a race in 2004 when it was supported by the works BMW outfit, before it switched to Sauber. The British team has used Toyota and Cosworth engines since then in a period of relative uncompetitiveness and Williams is keen to see works power return to the team.

“We are stronger with a manufacturer than as a private team,” Williams told Bild. “No question. And of course we have an affinity with Germany. I remember well, quite early on, we went to the races with VW buses - we sometimes even slept in them.

"German cars are great. With Mercedes, Brawn won the title last year, and with McLaren in the previous year. And now they [Mercedes] are up there with their own team.”

Bild claims Williams, who sold a 20 per cent stake in his team Austrian Toto Wolff over the winter, could sell his remaining stake to VW if it decides to enter the sport.

VW’s motorsport chief Kris Nissen wants the sport to improve its image, drive down costs and improve its stability before the group commits itself to F1, previously claiming the Group would continue to concentrate on its successful Dakar Rally programme for at least two more years.

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BriMarsh 19 March 2010

Re: Williams 'keen on VW F1 support'

I would hope Frank isn't thinking of selling out to VAG; they'll run it for three years, win perhaps one race then when all the senior bods have had enough of globe trotting and appearing on TV, they'll pull the plug. Just like all the others.

F1 needs privateers like Williams. Then again, neither he nor Patrick are getting any younger, perhaps the delights of retirement are increasingly appealing...

disco.stu 19 March 2010

Re: Williams 'keen on VW F1 support'

I suspect it's more that they must be into diminishing returns from the promotional value of winning Le Mans over and over again (last year excepted, of course). A VW Group entry into F1 would surely be run under the Audi banner to go head to head with Mercedes, and would time nicely with the R15's likely retirement from sports car racing in a couple of years.

Still think they would be better off buying Sauber. Audi's motorsport programs have traditionally been run in-house, and they would have an easier time integrating VWG management into Sauber than the traditionally-independently-run Williams. Honda, Renault, BMW and Toyota all found that Frank and Patrick do what Frank and Patrick want, for better or for worse. But buying BMW's old racing team might be too bitter a pill for Volkswagen...

Lanehogger 19 March 2010

Re: Williams 'keen on VW F1 support'

With the VW Group participating in F1 I can only assume then that the works Audi team will be withdrawn from sportscar racing, with all the resources poured into F1. If VW couldn't afford/allow a works Audi team to compete with Bentley at Le Mans on an equal level, what chance of VW sustaining huge amounts of money being spent on 2 levels of motorpsort that are equally draining, finanicially, and advanced.