Williams switch to Renault engines

London: Williams revived memories of their glory years on Monday by announcing a return in 2012 to the Renault engines that powered them to a string of Formula One titles in the 1990s.

The team, who are currently with Cosworth and also have a relationship with Indian-owned Jaguar outside of Formula One, said in a statement that they had agreed a long-term chassis-engine partnership with the French manufacturer. The deal, which will see the team use the same engines as world champions Red Bull next season, extends to 2013 with a view to continuing the partnership after the introduction of a new V6 turbo in 2014. "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," said team principal Frank Williams."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." Renault are already supplying three teams - Red Bull, Lotus-backed Renault and Team Lotus. Together, Williams and Renault won 63 grands prix between 1989 and 1997 and four drivers` and five constructors` championships. Britons Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill, both attending the announcement at the factory, took titles in 1992 and 1996 while Canadian Jacques Villeneuve -- also present on Monday -- was world champion in 1997. France`s Alain Prost was champion in 1993.Williams said the cooperation agreement with Renault including several other business and marketing opportunities. "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," added Renault Sport F1 president Bernard Rey. "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.” "From 2012 onwards the fact that we will have four partners puts us ahead of other engine manufacturers in terms of market share, but off track it will also enable us to further use Formula One as a marketing platform for our parent company." Bureau Report