Head Accuses BMW of Dishonesty

Williams told Autosport magazine this week that the relationship with BMW is the most hostile his team have ever experienced with an engine partner. But his partner Patrick Head has gone further to suggest the German automaker is blaming the Williams team for problems of their own doing and revealed that Williams had already begun talking to other engine manufacturers in case BMW and Williams decide to part ways.

"We adopt the same strategy as [BMW], and our doubts are especially about the way they handle the engine's power," Head told Italy's Sport Auto Moto.

"Obviously yes [we are talking to others], since BMW decided to talk publicly about their dissatisfaction in their relationship with the Williams team. This is something I personally consider to be extremely unprofessional.

"I haven't been very well impressed by this attitude, which is when a constructor pretends that every problem comes from the car and not from the engine. When the car always starts [races] badly, in my opinion it's more likely that it depends on the engine's control systems rather than the car's.

"Unfortunately our partner chose to tell people they are perfect while accusing us. This is honestly something which, besides being very unprofessional, shows very little character. So, with this situation ... I admit that yes, we have spoken to a certain number of people."

Head would not reveal which engine suppliers Williams have been talking to, but said he believes the BMW engine today is not among the leading engines in Formula One, and accused BMW's motorsport director Mario Theissen of mistreating the relationship with Williams.

"BMW say that they have the best of everything, but it's not true," Head said. "In my opinion, we should work like a united family, but instead this doesn't happen at all. In the last three years we've developed a starting system together - 50% ourselves and 50% them.

"But when the car starts badly they are very ready to accuse; they never talk about 'our engine' or 'our clutch' or whatever. I think this is Mario Theissen's approach, and it's a dishonest approach. We must live with this way of behaving of theirs, but we can't act the same way."

The relationship between Williams and BMW badly has deteriorated this season, after the team had a poor start to the 2005 season. BMW had openly stated they were negotiating with the Sauber team to supply them engines next season, with the possibility of the German car maker buying a stake at the Swiss team.

But despite the acrimonious exchange of accusations, Head added that he does not rule out continuing working with BMW as an engine supplier, even if they do buy into Sauber.

"We would have to look at the situation and evaluate it closely, but we'll certainly pay great attention at every other option," Head said. "Having said that, if it will be available it's a possibility."