Williams to supply Pirelli test car

Can Pirelli get good data from a Paddy Lowe Williams?

(GMM) Williams appears to have been nominated as the supplier of a Pirelli test car for 2021.

Earlier, we reported that F1's official supplier was seeking a test car to conduct development of the 18 inch tires for 2021 later this year.

"One of the biggest problems at the moment is to find a suitable test car," said Pirelli's Mario Isola.

Tobias Gruner, a journalist for Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, reports that the teams are happy with Williams.

"Engineers worried about unfair advantage," he tweeted. "But with Williams apparently being far behind it would be ok.

"We don't know whether Williams is interested or has the means to supply a mule car. If they decline Pirelli has to look for a different solution," Gruner added.

Rob Smedley

Ahead of the 2019 season opener in Australia, Williams is in full crisis, with technical director Paddy Lowe put on "leave".

Auto Motor und Sport reports that Lowe will almost certainly leave the team completely.

"He is also a shareholder and board member," said Gruner.

He said it is rumored that it was "too expensive" for Williams to simply sack Lowe.

"If you believe the rumors, the cost of the separation is less if the decision is delayed a few weeks. It is therefore hard to imagine that Lowe will come back to his job after the break."

Another rumor is that Rob Smedley, who recently left Williams and took up a role with Liberty Media, could return to the team to replace Lowe.