Williams could build Mercedes relationship with gearbox deal

Williams are set to grow their partnership with Mercedes by purchasing gearboxes from the Silver Arrows in 2019.

This again brings up the difficult issue of B teams in Formula One, with questions already surrounding Haas’ relationship with Ferrari.

Williams have had a difficult few years in Formula One, with Lance Stroll’s surprise podium in Azerbaijan in 2017 being the only real positive.

They sit bottom of the constructors’ standings with just four points this season.

Mercedes already provide engines to Williams, and sell both engines and gearboxes to force India, so Mercedes boss Toto Wolff sees no problem with the relationship with Williams.

"We are in discussions about doing that," the German said. "They are an engine client of ours. It's not a huge thing to increase that to a gearbox.

"Nothing is signed, nothing is done and we need to decide in the next few weeks because the chassis design is at an advanced stage for Williams, so we'll see how that pans out."

Wolff said a few days ago that he is keen to avoid making Force India a “B team” of Mercedes amid Force India’s financial struggles in recent times, so presumably Mercedes will not provide more than engines and gearboxes for Williams either.