Cosworth aim to expand engine supply

The Northampton-based engine constructor have greatly impressed this year with their all-new V8 engine - which started the season as arguably the most powerful and highest-revving in the field.

The performance of the engine will be key in helping Cosworth try to pull off deals to remain in F1, especially with Williams considering switching camps to Toyota in 2007. A decision on that front is expected within the next four weeks, with Williams believed to have the right of first refusal over a Cosworth deal.

Speaking to autosport.com, Cosworth's commercial director Bernard Ferguson said he was looking beyond just Williams for next year - and said there was likely to be a major push in the next few weeks to try and conclude preliminary negotiations that have taken place.

"Ideally we would like to have two competitive teams, but then again wouldn't everybody," said Ferguson. " I think basically what we are trying to do is do the best possible job we can do for Williams. That is to make a decision to go anywhere else very difficult for them, but also by doing that it gives us a shop window for the rest of the grid.

"There is a very small market place and everyone can see what everyone else is doing, and I think that we are getting a lot of good press in real terms and in terms of perception from the rest of the teams.

"We are exploring conversations with other people that have not advanced that far at this stage for next year, but I think that will pick up quite quickly now we are into Europe.

"These guys (Williams) have already started conversations about the engine installation in the chassis, and everybody else is doing the same. I would think by some time in June all the deals that are going to be done, with everyone and not just Cosworth, will be pretty much signed and sealed."

Although Ferguson has drawn short of naming the teams he is speaking to, sources have revealed that preliminary negotiations have taken place with Red Bull Racing about a renewal of the partnership the two teams enjoyed last season.

Red Bull Racing have had a difficult start to their new relationship with Ferrari, and although it is believed the talks with Cosworth have been focused around a possible link-up for 2008, after the current Ferrari deal ends, there is an outside chance of a deal being put together for as soon as next year.

The other option for Cosworth is to renegotiate Scuderia Toro Rosso's contract with them - which is currently for V10 engines as part of the deal that was originally negotiated with Minardi until the end of 2007.

There were rumours in the Imola paddock last weekend, however, that Toro Rosso could be switched onto Ferrari engines next year to further ramp up their affinity with Italy.

Such a deal would in theory allow Red Bull to see out the second year of their Ferrari contract, while allowing Red Bull Racing to switch to Cosworth.

Ferguson said that no talks had taken place with Toro Rosso but that he would happily talk to the Red Bull-owned outfit if they wanted to discuss engines for next year.

"At the moment they have a contract with us for V10s for 2007 and I am sure that is not guaranteed to cheer up any of the other teams who have a view on the V10," he said.

"We are contracted to them for next year, and they are contracted to the V10. If they want to come and talk to us about V8s then we are very happy to talk to them. But in the end it is their call."

Should Williams switch to Toyota, then Cosworth would be favourites to step in and provide the Midland teams with engine. The new Prodrive F1 team are expected to use Cosworth engines in 2008.