Renault and Williams back together in 2012

In the 2012 and 2013 seasons of the AT&T Williams F1 cars will be fitted with the championship-winning V8 power units from Renault Sport F1. This marks a return to a long and very successful alliance that lasted until 1997. Yet to reach an agreement on that matter there is also the possibility that Williams will get the new, energy efficient, turbocharged V6 engines from Renault, after their introduction in 2014.

Renault Sport F1 president, Bernard Rey, commented, “Renault remains in Formula One to achieve success in a cost efficient way and the partnership with Williams has great potential to add to the results we have notched up over recent years with our other partner teams. 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.”

Frank Williams, Team Principal of AT&T Williams, added, “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.”

During their partnership between 1989 and 1997 the Anglo-French team clinched four Drivers’ and five Constructors’ titles, with a total of 63 race wins. During those years the team produced some of F1’s most memorable images of the 1990’s , including Nigel Mansell’s British Grand Prix win in 1992; Alain Prost’s fourth world title and the classic duels between Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve and Michael Schumacher.

“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,” said Rey.

Frank Williams said that “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.”