In a recent interview BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen hinted that BMW could move beyond simply been an engine supplier. This is similar to the process that saw Renault move from been an engine supplier to operating their own Formula One team. Toyota is another example of a car manufacturer preferring to run their own team rather than simply supply engines.

But having said this Theissen also made it clear that even though BMW was considering all options continuing its partnership with WilliamsF1 was a preferred option. In the short term Theissen spoke of the need to finish the next two years of the agreement with WilliamsF1 in a very strong position.

In an interview in Autosport Theissen said: "The top priority is to have as much success as possible in the coming two years. We are totally satisfied with the cooperation we have today.

"We’re sure to improve it over the coming two years, and what we want to have in the long-term is maximum success. We will carefully go through all the opportunities we have, and continued cooperation with Williams is among the preferred options."

Adding to the comments made by DR Theissen fellow BMW Motorsport Director Gerhard Berger said that BMW was happy with their support of the WilliamsF1 team through their engine supply agreement.

Berger added: "We have a great relationship with Williams. We also have a contract with them until the end of 2004. For now we will concentrate on that."

Despite their commitment to the next two years it would seem that beyond this anything is possible including a BMW works team.

Even though team principals Frank Williams and Patrick Head refused an offer from BMW to purchase a small stake in the WilliamsF1 team, similar to that which Mercedes Benz has with McLaren,  Frank Williams would ideally like to retain the backing of BMW well beyond the end of the current contract.

"It would certainly be to the benefit of Williams to stay with BMW well beyond that," Williams said. In order to continue their relationship Williams may be forced into allowing BMW to buy into the WilliamsF1 team.

As for 2003 the WilliamsF1 team is reported to be producing a new radical FW25 which will enable the team to challenge Ferrari after been let down by a chassis that did not come up to the requirements necessary to challenge the F2002.