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F1: Costs Still a Big Issue, Says Williams
Written by: Adam Cooper
RACER Magazine   http://www.racer.com/speedtv
05/13/2008 - 08:03 AM
Istanbul, Turkey
 
Life remains tough for independents, Sir Frank outlines. (LAT Photo) ยป More Photos

Frank Williams says that F1 still needs to keep a lid on costs, despite attempts to keep them under control.

The demise of Super Aguri has put a renewed focus on the viability of teams that are not directly supported by manufacturers.

“It’s always going to be a difficult business, because it’s a technical sport,” said Williams in Turkey. “The most technical sport you can think of by a long way. It’s hyper competitive, if you want to survive you have to be quite good at your job. And there will always be a lot of money required.

“The manufacturers you could say in one sense drive up the costs, because they are able to spend more, but they do provide engines at a reasonably affordable cost to the people who don’t make engines, so they certainly perform a very useful function as far as this team is concerned.”

Williams also suggested that the teams should receive a bigger
slice of the pie: “Long term, without mentioning or using the appropriate or honest words, as we already are seeing more income from our activities on our track, that still isn’t enough, we should receive more of that income in the next Concorde Agreement. But we’ve got to keep the budget cap, it will make a big difference if it goes through.”

There remains some confusion as to whether F1 is currently subject to a proper Concorde Agreement, a situation that suits some parties. But Williams insists it is.

“I think the man who would be most worried if there wasn’t a Concorde, and there is a Concorde, would probably be Mr. Ecclestone, because then he has no cars to deliver. We all think we’re bound to the FIA and Bernie to perform, but if they say there’s no Concorde Agreement, they’re as weak as we are. I don’t think they intend it to be like that. It’s just bargaining talk.”
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