Williams sign long term engine deal with Mercedes from 2014

[SVT Cobra GT]

Just been announced today that they've signed a long term engine deal with Mercedes.


http://www.williamsf1.com/Team/Medi...s-Benz-announce-long-term-engine-partnership/

Hopefully this will be the new start of their return to the front of the grid, but seeing as though people were saying it when they signed with Renault for 2012 I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Liquid]

On the BBC too

Surprised at this. Wouldn't have thought that there was anything wrong with the Renault engines; Red Bull manage. I don't think the engine is Williams' problem.

That, and they chose not to pursue a deal with Honda.

Additionally, Toro Rosso will switch to Renaults and stop using customer Ferrari units. Furthermore, a quote from the second article;

while Lotus are considering swapping their Renault engines for Mercedes or Ferrari.

Seems as though the Red Bull parent company are negotiating an exclusive deal with Renault.

 

[Northstar]

I'm guessing this has more to do with money than performance. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Mercedes is giving a break to Williams so they have more than 1 customer team(if Force India stays and doesn't switch to Ferrari as has been rumored).

 

[Liquid]

Are the customer Mercedes engines the same as the works ones?

It's probably a dense question, but up until Mercedes bought out Brawn, McLaren was the works Mercedes outfit. Historically, customer Ferrari engines were not the same as that year's works Ferraris; Minardi, Prost and old Sauber used to get the previous year's units instead. Renault is no longer in the equation of works engines, thanks to Lotus Cars' buyout of the team.

Obviously with the change in regulations, all of next year's engines will be new, but I was just wondering.

 

[braunracing88]

That swap could be moot if this story is true.
http://www.supersport.com/motorsport/article.aspx?Id=1952484&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Are the customer Mercedes engines the same as the works ones?

Yes. The rules state that the engines used by the constructor and customer teams have to be the same.

 

[Centura]

I'm guessing this has more to do with money than performance. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Mercedes is giving a break to Williams so they have more than 1 customer team(if Force India stays and doesn't switch to Ferrari as has been rumored).

Probably. I read an article that said Renault's engine was the most expensive, if I remember correctly. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I saw this article.

 

[Robin]

I think Williams problems are much more than just about a choice of engine and surely changing suppliers will make things harder not easier.

 

[Liquid]

I suppose that the teams are having to second guess which suppliers may or may not have an advantage over other suppliers for next year, given the incoming new specifications.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I'm guessing this has more to do with money than performance. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Mercedes is giving a break to Williams so they have more than 1 customer team(if Force India stays and doesn't switch to Ferrari as has been rumored).

Force India have already confirmed that they will be sticking with Mercedes.

I suppose that the teams are having to second guess which suppliers may or may not have an advantage over other suppliers for next year, given the incoming new specifications.

I would imagine that the results of dyno testing would be made available to any team looking to renew and engine contract or switch to a new supply.