BMW EXPLAINS WILLIAMS SPLIT
Last Updated: Friday, 29, July, 2005, 11:24
BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen believes the German
manufacturers relationship with the Williams team foundered
because of cultural differences.
BMW recently announced its plans to buy Sauber and run its own
Formula 1 squad from 2006.
Although at the time it left the door open for continuing to supply
engines to Williams, it has since become clear that the association
between the two companies will be severed at the end of this
year.
Theissen revealed that BMW never considered strengthening its
involvement at Williams by becoming an equity partner in the team,
a la Honda and BAR.
Asked by reporters at Budapest on Thursday whether BMW had
contemplated buying a stake in the Grove-based outfit, Theissen
replied: Not really, no.
If you see that full integration doesnt work because of the
different culture of the two partners, [then a buy-in] doesnt make
sense.
You cannot force it if it doesnt work, it doesnt work.
If you buy it, it will be a very painful process to turn the
company around; so if the company doesnt fit into what you have,
youd better start from scratch.
BMW joined forces with Williams in 2000, and the partnership
initially promised much, with the Munich-built engine soon becoming
one of the most powerful and sought-after in F1.
However, ten victories in six years and no world championships fell
short of both parties expectations.
The problem was that we didnt really [achieve] the full
integration of both partners, and finally that was the recognition
that told us we would not win the championship in this set-up, with
this co-operation, said Theissen.
That was the reason to shift strategy.
Williams is expected to announce a one-year engine deal with
Cosworth for 2006 imminently.
