Williams, BMW Extend Partnership Until 2009

The Williams Formula One team and German engine suppliers BMW have announced the extension of their existing partnership for a further five years until the end of the 2009 season.

The contract announcement comes 18 months ahead of the end of their existing partnership agreement, which was coming to an end in 2004.

The team said the new agreement is different from the previous terms of engagement insofar as the new relationship will be characterised by an "increased degree of integration" between the two parties.

"BMW have been an extremely impressive and highly motivated engine partner to work with since 2000," said team principal Frank Williams. "I have every confidence that with the structure of this new agreement we will be able to draw from a deeper pool of BMW resource.

"When added together with the technical competence and determination to win at WilliamsF1, I believe that this relationship will yield significant dividends."

Williams said the new partnership will coincide with a multi-million dollar investment in capital facilities, including a second new state-of-the-art wind tunnel facility due to be operational in early 2004.

"I am delighted that the unprecedented level of investment at WilliamsF1 will contribute to the success of an extended partnership between the two companies," added Williams. "With this consolidation and stability in the programme stretching into the medium term, we now have an attractive platform from which to attract further commercial backing."

BMW and Williams have been holdings talks for a long time, and both parties had criticised each over their performances. The new deal, however, put an end to speculation about BMW's interest in other teams.

"These contractual negotiations were protracted, but we were happy to take the time that was necessary in order to clarify all the issues in detail," said BMW motorsport chief Mario Theissen. "As far as BMW was concerned, making comprehensive use of the know-how of the company’s expertise and extending that knowledge was a decisive factor in entering Formula One.

"That’s why we built our Munich Formula One facility very close to our Engineering and Research Center (FIZ) in Munich. The future will see similar networking between the Grove and Munich sites, with the aim of generating synergy benefits and optimising processes. This will be achieved by integrated and continuous joint project management.

"This groundwork was already laid in 2002. BMW will also contribute expertise in engine development and construction within the scope of this expanded co-operation. During the initial stage we will be focussing on joint development of the drive train with gearbox. The team will also derive increased benefit from the simulation and test experience of the Engineering and Research Center."