Williams will use Mercedes engines until 2025

After the signing and then the renewal of their title sponsor ROKiT, this is perhaps the second good news of the season for a team Williams in the midst of sporting turmoil and currently last in the Manufacturers' ranking with a small point. The British team announced this Friday that it will use engines Mercedes until 2025. Williams will, however, continue to build its own transmission.

The German manufacturer has supplied Grove with powerplants since 2014 and the introduction of the current V6 turbo hybrids. Well helped by an engine from the ultra-dominant Brixworth workshops, the beginnings of the partnership were crowned with success with 15 podiums between 2014 and 2017 for Williams and above all a pair of 3rd places in the Manufacturers' championship. The initial contract between the two parties was for seven seasons, so it has just been extended by five. 

« We are very pleased to extend our engine association with Mercedes-Benz and are confident that they will continue to provide us with a high-performance powertrain from 2021 and beyond », commented Claire Williams, deputy team principal of the eponymous team. 

« Building long-term relationships is one of the pillars of our approach in F1 in the hybrid era and Williams has been an exemplary partner since 2014 », said Andy Cowell, head of the Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains engine department.

« Williams is an iconic team and we are proud to have them in the Mercedes family, concluded Toto wolff, team principal and director of the German manufacturer's factory team. They are going through a difficult time but it only highlights their strength of character and their resilience. I am convinced that sport will be more favorable to independent teams from 2021 and the entry into force of the new financial rules ». 

We hope so too. While slight doubts still hover over the nature of Mercedes' involvement in F1 beyond 2021, this announcement confirms its presence as an engine manufacturer at least until the next engine regulations. To note that Ferrari is now considered the benchmark in terms of raw engine power, even if the Brackley team, undefeated in the hybrid era, is heading calmly towards a sixth Drivers-Constructors double in a row.