Sir Frank Williams thankful for Renault’s support

Sir Frank Williams has thanked Renault for its support over the past two years after announcing today that the parties would not be working together next season.

For 2014, Williams F1 Team will be powered by German marque Mercedes as part of a long-term deal, but the team’s founder was quick to thank Renault, who have supplied Williams with engines since the beginning of 2012.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Renault for their continued hard work since we renewed our engine partnership at the beginning of the 2012 season,” Williams said in a team statement. “We have enjoyed a strong relationship that has resulted in much success over the years, including powering us to winning ways once again last year at the Spanish Grand Prix.”

Pastor Maldonado’s win in Spain last year was the team’s first since 2004, and some were hoping to see the partnership hark back to the days of Prost and Mansell, both of whom won world championships behind the wheel of a Williams-Renault. Instead, the move sees the team change engine supplier for the sixth time in nine years, but it could prove to be a fruitful move should the team begin to move up the grid, having failed to score so far in 2013.

The deal is also reported to be around $6m per season cheaper than Renault’s engine supply.