Williams expect engine decision very soon

The Grove-based outfit are facing the choice of sticking with Cosworth or switching to Toyota, and team boss Frank Williams is adamant that he has not yet decided which will be best for his team despite mounting speculation that they will take the Japanese route.

Williams revealed that he is being pushed by his technical staff to make the final call on their engine plans swiftly, so that they can begin work in earnest on their 2007 challenger.

"The engine choice is both technical and commercial," Williams said. "Who has got the best chance of winning, versus what else comes with the engine? We can't say exactly what we will do yet.

"From our point of view, we are really under pressure, on my side of the company, from the engineers to get a decision, in which they are totally involved, sooner rather than later. You need to build your car earlier and earlier these days, or start developing it."

When asked what is the timeframe for that decision, Williams replied: "A few weeks. It could be less, it could be more. It is a rolling situation, but it will not be beyond half-year, there is no question.

"Correction, we are not totally in control of our own destiny so it could go beyond then, there is no telling. We all recognise that sooner, for everyone's sake in the company and outside it, is better than later."

Until that decision is made, initial work on the FW29 is being based around the installation plans for the 2007 Cosworth, following recent technical meetings between the team and the engine builder.

Technical director Sam Michael said: "In terms of design, we have already had a 2007 meeting with Cosworth and we are going ahead basing the design around Cosworth.

"And until further notice, that is what we will do, because it would be crazy to sit back and do nothing on either side, assuming it was going to change. Until we know otherwise, that is all we are doing."

Michael and Williams co-owner Patrick Head have also held meetings with Toyota's staff to discuss installation plans for their 2007 engine, to get themselves ready for the switch if a deal was agreed with the Japanese car manufacturer.