Williams considering 2019 Mercedes F1 gearbox supply deal
Williams is in discussion with Mercedes about adding a gearbox package to its existing Formula 1 engine deal in 2019, deputy team principal Claire Williams has confirmed

Sharing gearboxes is a common strategy on the F1 grid, with Haas and Sauber taking the Ferrari unit, and Force India using the same technology as the works Mercedes team.
In addition to potential cost savings, using the same gearbox as a frontrunning car gives a team one less item to worry about, allowing it to focus on other areas of performance.
Some teams also take the complete rear suspension package, while others design their own, around the pick-up points and geometry chosen by the supplier.
Williams has always opted to build its own transmissions, however, suggestions that the Grove team might consider buying one in from Mercedes emerged in April, with team backer Lawrence Stroll keen to look for ways to help find performance.
At the time Williams made it clear that she saw the team as a constructor, saying that "one of my responsibilities is to protect our independence".
However, circumstances have changed, because the team has been struggling to get off the back row of the grid all year, while the Haas model of taking as much as the rules allow from Ferrari has proved to be more and more successful.
"Team collaborations are now almost commonplace, aren't they?" Williams told Autosport.
"You almost have to explore every avenue or opportunity, so we're doing that. But nothing has been agreed or decided as this point.
"I'm not confirming what is or what isn't being discussed within that conversation. It wouldn't be appropriate to say."

Williams wouldn't be drawn on whether a collaboration could extend beyond a Mercedes gearbox supply to rear suspension or other car systems.
"You should always explore opportunities, to see whether it makes sense from many different perspectives," she said.
"That's what we're doing at the moment, but we can't go into it in any greater detail.
"You have to think these things through thoroughly and analyse the impact of them before you make any rash decisions, and that's the process that we're in."
In April Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff admitted he would be open to forging closer technical links with Williams and/or Force India.
"I think we have seen that the system between Ferrari and Haas has worked, it has worked for both," said Wolff.
"It's an interesting revenue filler for Ferrari, and in terms of synergies, there is a lot you can work on, and it has functioned for Haas.
"They are a very competitive team without having built on a legacy, or without having built on knowhow that would have taken years and years to collect.
"So far the system is very successful, and of course our thinking goes in that direction - whether it is Williams or Force India to collaborate.
"We can do something for 2019. We have certain capacity."

Previous article
Ferrari F1 engine upgrade makes debut with customers in Hungary
Next article
Hungarian Grand Prix practice: Sebastian Vettel puts Ferrari ahead

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Teams | Williams , Mercedes |
Author | Adam Cooper |
Williams considering 2019 Mercedes F1 gearbox supply deal
Trending
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed