Williams not interested in role as B team: "Want to maintain independence"

In the light of existing collaborations between Formula 1 teams as well as the announcement of new alliances between teams, Williams feels obliged to make it clear to everyone that it is not looking for collaboration with another team. In doing so, the team is continuing the established Williams culture, even though it now operates under the flag of Dorilton Capital.

Strong ties between Formula 1 teams have existed for some time now. Think of Red Bull and Alphatauri and Mercedes and Racing Point. Following recent announcements of a close collaboration between Ferrari and Haas, Williams has once again emphasised its independence as a racing team. "We can see the advantages, but we don't want to become a B team", says Williams team principal Simon Roberts to Motorsport.com.

Roberts continued: “We want to keep our independence, but we want to be more competitive. So for us, and looking forward, we are open to extending a relationship, but it would be focused on supporting us where we think we need help." Instead of the shared interests that would come with closer cooperation between teams, according to Roberts, Williams is only interested in a more selective interpretation of team partnership.

Translated into strategy

In concrete terms, this means the following for Williams's strategy for 2021: "In simple terms, if we are good at something and we can do it fast, then we should focus on that. If there is something we cannot do very well, then we should be prepared to buy it from whoever has it available."