Head: Authority Issues Delaying New Deal with BMW

Williams technical director Patrick Head has said problems in extending their partnership deal with engine suppliers BMW are down to issues over the team's "authority".

The Williams-BMW team scored their first win of the season when Juan Pablo Montoya was victorious in the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, putting an end to a disappointing start to the season.

Head, however, said that the win will not speed up talks over the future partnership with BMW because there are serious issues to resolve.

"A requirement of any extension to the agreement is that we work closer together but we are already doing that to a certain extent," said Head. "In truth, any racing team that works with a major manufacturer and does not work together is not going to be successful and we are more likely to be successful if BMW had a more permanent presence at Grove.

"But we can't be limited. Adding people is fine but removing our authority for areas on the car other than the engine is something we are not prepared to accept."

Williams' current contract with BMW expires at the end of the 2004 season.