Williams-Renault revive iconic partnership

After a 14 year split, Williams revealed yesterday that they will be using Renault engines for 2012 and 2013. Their switch from Cosworth to the French marque marks the return of one of the most dominant partnerships in F1 history.

Between 1992 to 1997, Williams won four drivers' and five constructors' championships, where drivers such as Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve made the most of their vastly superior machinery. However, those heady heights are now a distant memory; Williams have not won a race since 2004 and although Nico Hulkenberg took pole in Brazil last year, that was their first for over five years.

Although the latest Williams-Renault deal will expire at the end of 2013, it is evident that this partnership may continue further due to the implementation of the new, energy efficient, turbocharged V6 engines in 2014. Moreover, this deal makes Renault the largest engine supplier currently in F1; Red Bull, Lotus Renault GP and Team Lotus are already powered by Renault. Cosworth, meanwhile, will supply only Virgin and Hispania from next season.

Renault Sport F1 president, Bernard Rey, said: “Williams has recently taken several important steps, both commercially and technically, to update its operations and we feel that this partnership is another important step in its rigorous plan.

"It reiterates how determined the team is to achieve results, which matches perfectly with our own objectives.

“From 2012 onwards the fact that we will have four partners puts us ahead of other engine manufacturers in terms of market share, but off track it will also enable us to further use Formula One as a marketing platform for our parent company, Renault, to try to bring a bit of this association to our fans and our customers worldwide.

“Of course there’s also a great pride in reviving the Williams-Renault name.

"Together, we produced racing cars that are recognised for their technical innovation and it is still Renault’s most successful period in F1 to date. It’s a hugely exciting opportunity for both Renault and Williams.”

Williams have wrung the changes recently as they attempt to reclaim their status as one of F1's top teams. Technical Director Sam Michael will quit at the end of the season while Head of Aerodynamics Jon Tomlinson has also left the team. Controversial former Ferrari and Mclaren designer Mike Coughlan, an infamous figure in the 2007 'Spygate' affair, has joined the team as Chief Designer in a bid to improve on Williams' worst start to an F1 season.

Williams Team Principal Frank Williams said: “We are delighted and excited by our new partnership with Renault. This reunites the F1 team with a leading car manufacturer and complements our new relationship with Jaguar.

"At the same time, we are grateful to Cosworth: they have been a fair and reliable partner both on and off the track for the past two years and we look forward to working with them across our business in the future.

"Our previous relationship with Renault was one of the most successful in Williams’ history but we will not allow ourselves to dwell too much on the past.

"We must look to the future and continue to re-build our on-track reputation, which I am hopeful that today’s announcement will help us to do.”

However, it is their decision to switch to Renault engines which is intriguing. As well as countless titles, their partnership produced 63 victories, 79 pole positions and arguably two of the finest, most sophisticated cars ever to grace the sport: the FW14B and the FW15C from 1992 and 1993 respectively.

Although a long shot, reviving this legendary collaboration may offer their best hope of returning to their former glories.

Josh.