Mark Gallagher: Cosworth can survive with two teams for 2012, Williams was bonus for us – Formula 1
Engine manufacturers Cosworth boss Mark Gallagher has stated that his company will survive the 2012 Formula 1 season with only two customer teams on the grid.
Mark added that Cosworth has different working units for different teams and for the 2012 season, one of the working groups will be terminated. He further added that the profit of 2012 will be cut short as well from this downsizing.
He further added that the other three engine suppliers of the Formula 1 sport, Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault have assured them that at least two teams will remain on Cosworth-powered machines in future.
“We also have a customer guarantee. Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault have committed that at least two customers will stay with us. Three would be ideal,” stated Mark.
Mark admitted that for the 2010 season, most of the debutant teams were with Cosworth machines who did not know their future in the sport. Talking about Williams, Mark stated that it was a bonus for them to have Williams in their customers list for two years.
He further added that Williams’ chief Adam Parr clearly mentioned that they will shift to a bigger engine supplier the moment they get a chance.
“In 2010 we supplied mainly new teams, and no one knew whether they would survive. It would not have made sense if we had not taken a potential collapse of one of these teams into account. As a fourth team, Williams was for us rather a bonus,” commented
Mark.
Williams’ will shift to Renault engines for the 2012 season as they have struggled to score points in the 2011 season on Cosworth machines. the Lotus team moved to Renault for the 2011 season after having a disappointing 2010 season on Cosworth.
As Mark revealed that the other three engine suppliers will not supply engine to the last two remaining teams of the season, Virgin Racing Team and Hispania Racing Team, it will be interesting to see the strategy of these teams in future.
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