Cosworth's return to the big time

One of the saddest sights of 2006 were the faces of men like Cosworth's Bernard Ferguson and Simon Corbyn when Williams did its Toyota deal and Toro Rosso went with Ferrari. When the music stopped Cosworth found itself without a chair for the first time in 40 years. It was tough to take after the CA2006 had been so good. Now though, they're back, with no less than five teams - Williams, Virgin, Lotus Racing, US F1 and Campos Meta. The car park in Northampton is full to overflowing and the builders are in, renovating reception to take the Williams show car that arrives this week.

2006 taught the company not to put all its eggs in one basket. Cosworth has spent the last three years diversifying as well as developing its core automotive business. The company has 350 people but only 65 are F1 specific. Three years ago staff drained away as F1's major manufacturers ramped up. Significant numbers were lost to Mercedes at Brixworth across the other side of Northampton. Now they are coming back the other way, and also from Cologne and Brackley following the withdrawal of Toyota and Honda.