Formula 1: Williams rejects Mercedes gearbox switch
Williams has decided against taking a Mercedes gearbox next year, following discussions with the German car manufacturer about the potential for a closer Formula 1 collaboration
On the back of a difficult 2018 F1 campaign, Williams has been looking at how best it can do things differently in the future to turn its fortunes around.
One idea was to expand its partnership with Mercedes beyond just an engine supply, and take its gearbox as well.
As well as cost savings, such a move would allow Williams to also focus more of its effort on performance improvements.
It is a strategy that Haas and Sauber have with Ferrari, while Force India also takes its gearbox from Mercedes.
But following internal discussions at Williams, and preliminary talks with Mercedes, the Grove-based outfit has now decided against the move.
Speaking exclusively to Autosport, deputy team principal Claire Williams said: "We are not taking the Mercedes gearbox. There is no increased collaboration outside of the engine deal.
"We talked about it and explored the opportunity with Mercedes. And it didn't make sense for us for a number of reasons."
The thought process surrounding taking the Mercedes gearbox comes at a time when F1 is engaged in an intense debate about collaborations between teams - and concerns that manufacturers will user smaller outfits to work for them to help get around future budget cap restrictions.
Williams does not like the idea of teams working together in such a way, but knows that if the rules do not change and the competitive advantages of doing so remain, then her team will have to change its policy in the future.
"Of course we have evaluated whether we want to do something like that this year, but it didn't work out for us, for whatever reason, right here and right now," she added.
"That is not to say that we have closed the door on it completely. I would much rather the regulations changed to close the door on the whole thing completely.
"If it transpires that next year we may have to do something, then we may have to do something and it wouldn't be the end of the world.
"It wouldn't be ideal, but you have to adapt to the changing times, otherwise you become dinosaurs."
FIA: Sauber F1 team fixes DRS design flaw after Ericsson's crash
Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli has rivals for new contract
The returning fan car revolution that could suit F1
Gordon Murray's Brabham BT46B 'fan car' was Formula 1 engineering at perhaps its most outlandish. Now fan technology has been successfully utilised on the McMurtry Speirling at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, could it be adopted by grand prix racing once again?
Russell: Spa F1 flexi floor clampdown could bring Mercedes into the mix
George Russell hopes the flexi floor clampdown from the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix will bring Mercedes closer to the fight at the front against Ferrari and Red Bull.
F1 Dutch GP 2022: Last chance to be at the Orange Army’s big party
Sought-after tickets are still available for in-demand Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
Shwartzman "excited" for Ferrari FP1 chances after F1 summer break
Robert Shwartzman says he is “a bit excited” for his Formula 1 race weekend debut with Ferrari later this season when he takes part in two practice sessions.
The returning fan car revolution that could suit F1
Gordon Murray's Brabham BT46B 'fan car' was Formula 1 engineering at perhaps its most outlandish. Now fan technology has been successfully utilised on the McMurtry Speirling at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, could it be adopted by grand prix racing once again?
Hamilton's first experience of turning silver into gold
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has been lumbered with a duff car before the 2022 Mercedes. Back in 2009, McLaren’s alchemists transformed the disastrous MP4-24 into a winning car with Lewis Hamilton at the wheel. And now it’s happening again at his current team, but can the rate of progress be matched this year?
Why few could blame Leclerc for following the example of Hamilton’s exit bombshell
OPINION: Ferrari's numerous strategy blunders, as well as some of his own mistakes, have cost Charles Leclerc dearly in the 2022 Formula 1 title battle in the first half of the season. Though he is locked into a deal with Ferrari, few could blame Leclerc if he ultimately wanted to look elsewhere - just as Lewis Hamilton did with McLaren 10 years prior
The other McLaren exile hoping to follow Perez's path to a top F1 seat
After being ditched by McLaren earlier in his F1 career Sergio Perez fought his way back into a seat with a leading team. BEN EDWARDS thinks the same could be happening to another member of the current grid
How studying Schumacher helped make Coulthard a McLaren F1 mainstay
Winner of 13 grands prix including Monaco and survivor of a life-changing plane crash, David Coulthard could be forgiven for having eased into a quiet retirement – but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, in fact he’s busier than ever, running an award-winning media company and championing diversity in motor racing. Not bad for someone who, by his own admission, wasn’t quite the fastest driver of his generation…
Could F1 move to a future beyond carbonfibre?
Formula 1 has ambitious goals for improving its carbon footprint, but could this include banishing its favoured composite material? PAT SYMONDS considers the alternatives to carbonfibre and what use, if any, those materials have in a Formula 1 setting
How Russell has proven he deserves to be Hamilton's Mercedes heir
He’s fast, he’s smart, and he’s already shown he’s not going to let Max Verstappen intimidate him. George Russell won’t say it, but LUKE SMITH says he’s ready to take the lead at Mercedes when Lewis Hamilton moves on to a quieter life. And – whisper it – Mercedes and Lewis are starting to think so too
The traits that fuelled Alonso's unexpected Aston Martin move
Fernando Alonso’s bombshell switch to Aston Martin sent shockwaves through Formula 1, not least at Alpine that finds itself tangled in a contract standoff with Oscar Piastri. Not shy of a bold career move and with a CV punctuated by them, there were numerous hints that trouble was brewing