TOYOTA TO BUY WILLIAMS ?

[Julian Mayo]

My broker tells me that he heard a rumour that Toyota, instead of supplying Williams with engines next year, will make SF an offer to good to refuse.
SF will then be put in control of Toyota/Williams racing ( a similar deal to Ferrari selling to FIAT).
God only knows where a publican gets such info, but he also says his carbuncle started itching when he heard it.....apparantly a sure sign it will come to fruition

[Snowy]

his carbuncle started itching when he heard it.....apparantly a sure sign it will come to fruition

My carbuncle isn't itching! Surely his been drinking that makes mine itch

[JayVee]

So what will happen to Cosworth if this rumour turns true

[Julian Mayo]

So what will happen to Cosworth if this rumour turns true

Red Bull are "rumoured" to be making them a very attractive offer.

[F1greyhound]

FRANK WILLIAMS wont sell his life.

[Julian Mayo]

FRANK WILLIAMS wont sell his life.

When I read the report, my first reaction was the same as yours. Then I started to think about the trials and tribulations SF has suffered thru his F1 life. And the constant battle for sponsorship dollars.

IF the deal was the same as the Ferrari sale to Fiat, SF would be hiring n firing, dictating team policy, still ruling with the iron fist in the boxing glove.
And with a multi million $ budget.

I also wonder if it is a Toyota response to Honda having a second team in the comp. ie. "Sir Frank, Aguri will be running a full Aguri/Honda team next year, We want you running a full Williams/Toyota team next year....here is the cheque book.

[Kapel]

My broker tells me that he heard a rumour that Toyota, instead of supplying Williams with engines next year, will make SF an offer to good to refuse.

[Kapel]

So what will happen to Cosworth if this rumour turns true

Red Bull are "rumoured" to be making them a very attractive offer.

Was this from ur broker too

Is he the Mole?

[Julian Mayo]

So what will happen to Cosworth if this rumour turns true

Red Bull are "rumoured" to be making them a very attractive offer.

Was this from ur broker too

Is he the Mole?

nup, it was from Lily. She is working behind the bar, at the AGP

[Snowy]

I also wonder if it is a Toyota response to Honda having a second team in the comp. ie. "Sir Frank, Aguri will be running a full Aguri/Honda team next year, We want you running a full Williams/Toyota team next year....here is the cheque book.

Does Toyota have the same kind of interest in finding seats for Japanese drivers? Niether SF or Toyota have shown the same kind of investment interest in driver development which I think is an important component of the Honda philosophy.

I dunno seems a bit to left field for Toyota to be competing with itself, I can understand a team like Ferrari supplying previous spec engines to a team like Sauber who aren't going to displace them in the championship. But Ferrari would have to be mad to buy up Williams and have to compete with them. So even though Toyota doesn't have the kind of kudos Ferrari has; they still have an image and a winning (in other formulas) heritage to protect. It would - imho - be saying we're a useless chassis maker but look Williams is winning with our engines.

Or perhaps 'Oh pants Williams is making great progress in the midfield. And knocking spots off our car.' The risks are surely too great?

[Julian Mayo]

I also wonder if it is a Toyota response to Honda having a second team in the comp. ie. "Sir Frank, Aguri will be running a full Aguri/Honda team next year, We want you running a full Williams/Toyota team next year....here is the cheque book.

Does Toyota have the same kind of interest in finding seats for Japanese drivers? Niether SF or Toyota have shown the same kind of investment interest in driver development which I think is an important component of the Honda philosophy.

I dunno seems a bit to left field for Toyota to be competing with itself, I can understand a team like Ferrari supplying previous spec engines to a team like Sauber who aren't going to displace them in the championship. But Ferrari would have to be mad to buy up Williams and have to compete with them. So even though Toyota doesn't have the kind of kudos Ferrari has; they still have an image and a winning (in other formulas) heritage to protect. It would - imho - be saying we're a useless chassis maker but look Williams is winning with our engines.

Or perhaps 'Oh pants Williams is making great progress in the midfield. And knocking spots off our car.' The risks are surely too great?

IMHO, if it is true, it is far more to do with "FACE" in the Japanese culture, and less to do with F1

[rah]

I think Julian, that you and I read the same websites. Out of those eventualities, I think that RBR buying Cosworth is the most likely.

[Julian Mayo]

I think Julian, that you and I read the same websites. Out of those eventualities, I think that RBR buying Cosworth is the most likely.

The Toyota buyout was published in "Motorsport News" No. 332 29 mar-11 april 2006.

[Julian Mayo]

The Williams Toyota had its first shakedown run today

[Snowy]

The Williams Toyota had its first shakedown run today

It shook so much it fell apart