Renault to steal Cosworth’s best team
06/28/10 (GMM) Adam Parr is not ruling out a change of engine supplier for Williams. Amid rumors both Williams and Lotus could each be eyeing a supply of Renault V8s in 2011, Cosworth's Mark Gallagher has insisted both teams are under contract for three years.
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| Cosworth 2.4L V8 F1 engine. How does a small company like Cosworth fend off the deep pockets of a Renault? |
Parr, Williams' chief executive, likened a F1 team's relationship with its key suppliers to a marriage.
"You do have rows with your wife, but you know you have got the common interest and I still think that is the case," Parr, referring to Williams' recent qualms about the drivability and degradation of the Cosworth engine this year, is quoted by GP Week.
"But we have no plans to change engine partner, and we have no desire to change engine partner," he continued.
"I just don't want to rule out the possibility of something happening because that would be a stupid thing to do," he added.
06/21/10 (GMM) Cosworth has played down reports Williams is set to switch to Renault engine power in 2011. It has been suggested that Grove based Williams is unhappy with the performance of the 2.4 liter V8, especially its degradation as it ages.
But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that the British independent engine maker, also the supplier to the three new teams, has commenced a program to improve the deficiencies.
And Cosworth's business director Mark Gallagher said: "We have a three year contract with Williams, and there is no evidence they want to end this relationship."
He also said all of the candidates to be F1's 13th team in 2011 "with one exception" have been in talks with Cosworth.
Auto Motor und Sport reports that Cosworth is the cheapest engine supplier on the grid, with its engine costing EUR 5.5 million per year compared to the 9m price-tag for Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault power.
The publication said Nicolas Todt's hopeful ART team wants to be powered by Ferrari.
But Gallagher insists that Cosworth provides a highly reliable product, while the input of Rubens Barrichello has helped the marque to improve the engine's drivability.
As for the loss of horse power in the middle of the engine's life, Gallagher revealed: "We have found the cause and brought a solution to the FIA for permission to make the change."
06/18/10 (GMM) There could be more Renault-powered cars on next year's formula one grid than any other engine supplier. Although the French marque currently supplies its 2.4 liter V8 only to the team that bears its name as well as Red Bull, it is reported that Williams is now close to agreeing a deal for 2011.
There have been reports that the Grove based team is less than fully happy with the returning supplier Cosworth this year, while at the same time Renault has confirmed it is looking to add a team to its customer engine roster.
Also linked with a switch to Renault has been the currently Cosworth-powered new team Lotus, while Cosworth's business director Mark Gallagher recently said he suspects equipping the sport's 13th team for 2011 will be "a Cosworth/Renault competition".
A report by France's Auto Hebdo said it is likely that eight cars on the 2011 grid will be fitted with Renault engines. "An agreement with Williams is almost done," said the magazine.