As widely expected Williams have ended their partnership with engine suppliers Toyota after three years.
In a statement released by the team today team boss Frank Williams expressed his gratitude for Toyota, “At a time of great difficulty for us as a team, Toyota stepped forward and agreed to supply us with engines for 2007 through to the end of 2009. Toyota has been a very decent partner who have always respected our independence and provided us with a first-rate technical product. “
He added “We are proud that we have been able to work with such a great company and we are grateful to the team in Cologne for their support. I would like to single out for our thanks the Toyota engineers and technicians who have worked within our race team tirelessly for the past three years.”
The team has said that it will be confirming its engine partner for 2010 in due course, with Renault and Cosworth both being mentioned by a number of people as possible suppliers for next year.
This also frees up a second driver slot in the team as they will no longer have to run Kazuki Nakajima as part of the Toytota deal.
Tadashi Yamashina, Chairman of Toyota Motorsport, said: “We have enjoyed a productive working relationship with Williams and I believe both companies have benefited from that partnership. We respect the wishes of Williams to look for other opportunities and wish them well for the future.”
Nico Rosberg recorded the best result for the team running the Toyota engines in 2008 at the Singapore Grand Prix after finishing second.
