NOVEMBER 2, 2010

HRT to use Williams gearboxes in 2011

The Williams F1 team has announced that it has entered into a commercial agreement to supply the fledgling Hispania Racing Team with gearboxes starting next season. HRT will move away from using Xtrac gearboxes to the Williams unit - both teams running with Cosworth engines.

Williams says that the deal will extend the life-cycle of the current Cosworth engine technology.

HRT Team Principal, Colin Kolles said, "This technical partnership is a significant step forward for Hispania Racing HRT F1 Team to improve its performance. We are very happy to do this with an engineering company and race team like Williams F1 which has an impressive track record and astonishing heritage."

Williams F1 CEO, Alex Burns said, "This is a logical partnership given Williams and Hispania's mutual relationship with Cosworth. Our gearbox technology has consistently proven itself as both competitive and reliable, and hence this agreement will be a positive development for both organisations."

HRT has been plagued by hydraulic problems this season, and the move will give the team a stable gearbox package for next year. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.