The Weekly Grapevine

Williams Sit on the Fence

That Williams have admitted, despite a release from Grand Prix Manufacturers Association (nee GPWC) implying the contrary, to not having committed themselves to the GPMA's 'binding agreement to race together only in a series which satisfies the fundamental principles of a clear and equitable World Championship', is no great surprise.

In fact, when the GPMA release was digested last week, the implied inclusion of Sir Frank's eponymous team was a surprise, for, with their impending divorce from BMW, Williams are a privateer team in the true sense of the word. Even truer than is the case of Red Bull Racing, Midland-Jordan and, from 1 November, Red Bull-Minardi, for they have multinational patrons - from paid-for Cosworths to the shares in the holding company - Williams Grand Prix Engineering Ltd - being held by the founding individuals, Frank Williams and Patrick Head.