Williams F1 Not Ruling Out Leaving Mercedes to Join Alpine or Ferrari as a Customer Team

Williams F1 have been powered by Mercedes engines for 7 seasons now. However, the engine deal with the Silver Arrows doesn’t make the Grove-based outfit a customer team as such (like Haas is to Ferrari). More intriguingly, they themselves haven’t considered having a junior team like Red Bull, whom they could supply hardware to. But the team’s new CEO Jost Capito believes that this could change in the near future.

Capito, who was appointed as the CEO by owners Dorilton Capital only a month ago, said that although the team’s primary focus is on climbing back to where they used to be once, he reckons the team could look at having a customer team or becoming one themselves. But only after having stabilized themselves.

Jost said, “At the moment we have to solve our issues and have to get ourselves back [up the grid] and therefore I will give full attention and focus on really getting the team back to where it belongs. If we are on the way [up] and this is all working and running properly, then I think you can think about other options, but not now.”

For now, the Grove-based team will have their focus dedicated to the season at hand. They have had a horrible time in the sport of late. Just a solitary point from the last two seasons doesn’t do justice to their legacy.

Despite new ownership and a stronger financial backing, it is unlikely that the team can turn the tide so soon. However, they are striving on a McLaren-esque rise from the ashes

What can Williams F1 achieve in 2021?

Pre-season testing usually doesn’t reveal a whole lot in terms of performance. So it is hard to say if Williams have improved or not. But there were some positive signs with George Russell setting the 6th quickest lap time on the final day of testing.

It seems quite likely that the British team would finish ahead of Haas. Although whether they can notch up a few points finishes is debatable. They do have the sheer talent of Russell, but even he’ll need some luck to go his way if he wants to break his points drought with the historic team.

Can Williams F1 keep away from the bottom of the F1 table? Only time will tell.

Also Read: New Williams F1 CEO Promises Positive Developments: “There Will Be Some Announcements Soon”