Williams and Toyota Announce Engine Deal

[Blake]

After months of speculation the news finally came out this morning. WilliamsF1 and Toyota have officially announced their agreement. Toyota will supply WilliamsF1 with their engines for the upcoming three years.

Under the terms of the agreement, WilliamsF1 will use the same specification of engine as Panasonic Toyota Racing. Both Williams and Panasonic Toyota Racing see significant benefits from a relationship based on robust on-track competition and close off-track co-operation.

On the announcement of the agreement, Toyota's Executive Vice President Kazuo Okamoto said, "We are delighted to be supplying Williams with engines from 2007 and working alongside a team rich in history and Formula One spirit."

John Howett, President of Toyota Motorsport, added: "We are pleased to be selected as the engine provider to Williams and look forward to establish a strong relationship with them. We look forward to both teams using each other as a comparative benchmark from which each can improve its own performance and to competing with each other at the front of the grid."

For his part, WilliamsF1's Team Principal, Frank Williams commented, "This agreement is the cornerstone of Williams' challenge for the World Championship. Toyota is an impressive and remarkable industrial giant, with the most phenomenal reputation for achieving the goals it sets itself. We are proud to have secured their support in our efforts to return to our competitive best."

This announcement was long overdue, as rumours about this deal have been going on for god knows how long…

It makes sense for both parties really, and Williams need a reliable and competitive engine, and Toyota just want to win. I’m not so sure that it matters all that much to marketing whether they win as an engine supplier, or as a constructor.

 

[MagpieRacer]

I can't tell if this is good or bad..Williams could quickly turn into a Toyota B team..

 

[Sting]

I can't tell if this is good or bad..Williams could quickly turn into a Toyota B team..

Never, I doubt Frank Williams would ever let that happen!

 

[GilesGuthrie]

I can't tell if this is good or bad..Williams could quickly turn into a Toyota B team..

I suspect that this is the first stage in a downgrade of Toyota's involvement in F1.

None of the sites I read are commenting on whether the engines are going to be Lexus-badged.

 

[Tornado]

Wow, Toyota sure is serious about winning a single race, aren't they. Or it could be as Giles said: so they can get out of the expenses without really dropping the team.

 

[TMM]

I can't tell if this is good or bad..Williams could quickly turn into a Toyota B team..

I wonder if Frank is starting to loose his grip on the team. They have been struggling for many years now...

 

[Blake]

I suspect that this is the first stage in a downgrade of Toyota's involvement in F1.

I agree. There is no way that the team has a long term future in the sport, and I suspect that future will be less secure if wins don’t start pouring in.

 

[Pupik]

I suspect that this is the first stage in a downgrade of Toyota's involvement in F1.

Good point, although Toyota has the money, they don't really have the expereince to put together more than a mid-pack car.

None of the sites I read are commenting on whether the engines are going to be Lexus-badged.

Although the world-wide brand launch is important, I don't see that Toyota gets anything more out of using the Lexus name on the valve covers; most of my customers have little care for motorsports of any kind.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Good point, although Toyota has the money, they don't really have the expereince to put together more than a mid-pack car.

I've been hearing a lot that the F1 programme is swallowing basically all of the European marketing budget, and that this is affecting road car sales.

Although the world-wide brand launch is important, I don't see that Toyota gets anything more out of using the Lexus name on the valve covers; most of my customers have little care for motorsports of any kind.

Do you know any of the background to the Grand Am involvement? Always seemed a little curious to me. That said, I would expect Toyota to brand the Williams engines as Lexus ...
- because they can;
- because they have a second brand to promote
- because Williams is seen as a Grandee team, and thus will confer status on the newcomer
- because the brand would want to promote itself into new markets.

America has already bought into the Lexus thing - it's other markets that could do with a bit of a kick, especially Europe.

 

[m7ammed]

just get all the rumors of Lexus out of your head

Contrary to speculation indicating that the engines may be branded with the Japanese manufacturer's luxury brand Lexus, the new car will instead be called a Williams-Toyota FW29 and will carry logos saying “Powered by Toyota” on the bodywork.

full article here

 

[Omnis]

That kind of sucks. Cosworth could've really improved if they had better funding (more customers).

 

[Appie]

But Toyota doesn't really have the drivers that can develop the car really good, so unless they don't have some good drivers, then i think that Toyota will be pulling the plug soon

 

[red70mach1]

I don't think this is Toyota's B-squad. This is a much needed technical partnership with the primary team.

 

[Law93]

i think that Frank needs a little bit more back-up, and this could turn out to be a pretty good thing. toyota has been getting better, you got to say that. i'm thinking Williams should always keep doing what their doing. I also love how their cars look

 

[Pink_the_Floyd]

I don't give a **** about this all.

If you looked close at the German GP, you can tell Trulli en Ralf were in top-condition. Trulli went from P20-7. And if Ralf didn't made that mistake, surely he could finish on the podium 👍