WilliamsF1 today announced their extended technical partnership with QinetiQ, the leading defence and technology solutions company. The existing relationship will now continue into 2006, with the QinetiQ identity remaining in its established location on the drivers’ helmets.

WilliamsF1’s alliance with QinetiQ commenced in May of last season, with the intention of injecting ground-breaking technologies into the design and development of the team’s racing cars, drawing on the best of British expertise.

Over the year, the team has benefited from the advice and consultation from QinetiQ’s scientists, engineers and specialists, notably in the areas of predictive aerodynamic disciplines, materials science and the application of GPS technology for data acquisition at test sessions. For QinetiQ, Formula One has proved to be an important platform to communicate its standing as a world leader in the provision of ground-breaking technologies and the depth of its scientific skill base.

The renewal will afford further opportunities for QinetiQ to showcase its core disciplines to a global audience, while the team will continue to benefit from a mutual sharing of technological competencies and innovation.

Of the partnership extension, Sir John Chisholm, QinetiQ’s Executive Chairman, commented, “There is an important link between QinetiQ, its aerospace heritage and the F1 motor racing industry. The aerospace business is a powerful vehicle for pulling through numerous technologies which in turn feed into other industries. It would be difficult, for example, to imagine the existence Formula One in this country without the innovative influence of aerospace technology, so it is entirely appropriate that QinetiQ should be working so closely with the Williams team.”

The WilliamsF1 Team’s Team Principal, Frank Williams, confirmed, “To date, QinetiQ have opened the door to several interesting technologies which may be of help to us in the future, so I’m delighted that they have decided to extend their association with the team and look forward to our continued partnership.”