Sale to BMW?

By Andrew Hooper
June 23 2003

 

 

  
Sale to BMW?
 
With the negotiations between the WilliamsF1 team and BMW still yet to be finalised the difficult issue of BMW wanting closer collaboration, or even possible part ownership, has again been discussed after comments made by Sir Frank Williams.

Previously the indications were that the WilliamsF1 team was not up for sale but the speculation regarding BMW's interest in the team have not let up.

For the WilliamsF1 team to maintain their independent position they are very much going against the tide with the majority of Formula One teams either fully or partly owned by a manufacturer.

Ferrari is part-owned by Fiat, Mercedes Benz has an interest in McLaren, as does Honda with BAR. Renault, Toyota, and Jaguar are all 100% owned by manufacturers.

But for Williams he sees these links between the teams and a major car manufacturer as something that has worked well. Williams said in respect of this collaboration: " ...seems to work pretty well. Ferrari is a total integration, and I am sure that Toyota eventually will be at the front of the grid."

As for any chance of a part of the WilliamsF1 team been sold Williams said that it was "not yet relevant" to discuss this issue.

Williams added: "Whatever may occur in the future may well occur beyond my time for instance."

But if BMW was to offer assistance to the WilliamsF1 team Sir Frank indicated that "offers of 'help" would be accepted so long as "that help is free, then we would naturally want to work together."

 
 
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