Even More Powerful BMW Engine
01-31-2003

Munich-based engine manufacturer BMW have built an even more powerful V10 unit for the Williams cars this year.

'Yet again, we were the first to test it on the track and even earlier than last year,' said Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen at the Williams launch in Barcelona.

'The BMW P83, like its two predecessors, is designed to be the most powerful engine in Formula One.'

Last year, the P82 achieved its aims and boasted 900bhp and even exceeded the one-thought-impossible 19,000 rpm barrier at Monza.

In 2003, BMW and Grove-based Formula One team WilliamsF1 target more wins, podiums - and perhaps even the world championship.

'With the P83, BMW has developed another new and more powerful engine,' said Sir Frank Williams, team founder and principal.

Gerhard Berger, former driver and joint BMW boss, adds: 'We're focused ahead while also keeping an eye on the competition in the rear-view mirror.'

High Targets For Impatient Williams

My team are 'well prepared and completely determined to get to the top.'

That was the indubitable message of Grove F1 boss Sir Frank Williams as his Oxfordshire outfit, powered by BMW, launched season 2003 with an innovative chassis design dubbed P83.

Williams, wheel-chair bound after injured in a road smash in the mid-Eighties, helped his drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya pull the wraps off a more adventurous grand prix design.

FW25 greeted the world's view at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain, just out of a sunny and bustling Barcelona.

'We have a new, innovative chassis as a product of a completely different way of thinking,' said the team boss.

'With Juan Pablo and Ralf we have two winning drivers ably assisted by a skilled and committed team. Moreover, we have been very impressed by the performance steps taken by Michelin over the winter.'

Last year, all that team could manage was one win and a distant second in the constructors' championship.

Sir Frank said it was a character-building season, though, that helped Williams towards much-needed lessons.

He added: 'But in 2003 we are optimistic because we have got a good product and we want to see if its as good as the best.

'BMW and Williams are very impatient companies. This year we have set ourselves high targets but we want to reach and maybe exceed those targets.'

BMW Yet To Decide On Future

BMW's new involvement at the pinnacle of motorsports has become synonymous with ex-world championship constructor Williams.

But since 2000, when the Munich manufacturer arrived back at the pinnacle of motorsports, BMW has failed to taste ultimate spoils despite its widespread plaudits as the best F1 engine.

As the initial five-year contract nears an end, then - it is set to expire at the close of next year - BMW is yet to decide whether to try it alone as a full constructor or continue with Williams.

Sir Frank, team principal, said negotiations were ongoing and unresolved.

Former driver and joint BMW Motorsport Director Gerhard Berger, meanwhile, says that the Munich operation are 'looking at possible scenarios' for the marque's future in F1.

He said: 'I'd like to see a longer-term partnership with Williams - I would say they are in pole position.

'But everybody knows how hard it is to negotiate with Frank so we will see what comes out of it.'

Whilst Berger concedes that Williams and BMW have made year-on-year gains towards the ultimate championship target, 'both organisations are acutely aware that there is significant expectation for the season ahead.

'The time is now to realise the team's ultimate ambitions.'

A major initiative has been underway since June last year to better integrate the Williams and BMW operations.

Berger says that 'process management improvements will more closely integrate the partnership ... and ultimately delivering developments to the track in a shorter and more effective fashion.'