Will Williams win Le Mans before a GP?

[DanielPT]

Porsche is coming back to Le Mans in 2014 in order to restore its utter domination of the top class LMP1 and according to Autosport it will fully make use of ACO rules towards green technologies like they did with the 911 GT3 R Hybrid which has a flywheel KERS developed by Williams. So they will probably adopt an hybrid drive-train that might use a more powerful Williams KERS. Can Williams win? (In Le Mans, of course! )

[FullMetalJack]

Williams will probably never win another GP, I've only ever properly seen them win once as I started watching properly in 2004.

Not sure how well they'll do in Le Mans.

[shinji]

If the Williams downfall can be compared to the Lotus one, then I'd say the next Williams win will be in about 25 years by a team with disputed links to the original.

[F1000X]

Porsche back to LMP1? YESSSS!!!!

I really hope Williams can get back to it's old ways, but without a manufacturer's backing, I don't think they stand a chance. Losing BMW was the worst thing that ever happened to them.

[patrick]

The Williams connection is one I had not made yet, so that is interesting to consider. It is possible that they could be involved as they seek to stretch beyond F1 as McLaren has done.

I also think there is another possible F1 connection with this news - Audi and Porsche fall under the VW umbrella, and back in the late 90's Porsche began to develop an LMP1 for 2000 but it was abandoned possibly because Audi wanted a clear run at Le Mans. So it seems possible that the two marques will not face each other in 2014 - which I am sure will not bother Audi, who have had a very good run at Le Mans and could have two more wins under its belt by the time Porsche enters. If Peugeot stays (and there's no reason they won't, but five years and one win will be under their skin by now) LMP1 will still be in good health, with the possibility of returning Japanese manufacturers and the Aston Martin project (and they have plenty of work to do)
My point is, where would Audi go in 2014 if they left prototypes? well, another series just changed engine regulations for 2014...
Although cool as this would be, firstly it would be a big step for Audi to leave behind its very successful diesel engines - and the road car technology that brings - for V6 turbos, and the well oiled machine of sportscars for everything filthy that comes with F1. Furthermore, in an interview with the BBC on their post-race forum in Valencia, Adrian Newey stated that the FOUR cylinder turbo for 2013 was pushed by Audi, who then changed their minds and decided they didn't want in after all. Now maybe they find the idea of a V6 more workable - Newey says in the interview (a very good interview I might add) that a V6 is easier to package in an F1 car.

I don't know what the answer is, but I certainly see plenty of significance with this announcement coming a day after F1 announces it's plans for 2014. Show your cards, VW group!

[ADx_Wales]

Williams will probably never win another GP, I've only ever properly seen them win once as I started watching properly in 2004.

Not sure how well they'll do in Le Mans.

1998 BMW Prototypes, were run in some form of collaboration with Williams, this was probably a precursor to the 2000 F1 Works deal.

I dont know how much of a collaboration it was, but the F1 fraction was removed before BMW won the year following.

[Peter]

According to Audi, they aren't going anywhere. So we'll see a nice 4 manufacturer battle in Le Mans, that is, if Aston sorts themselves out.

What I do want more than anything if for Williams to team up with Porsche, Porsche getting Williams' technical support in developing a LMP, they are experienced in winning in Le Mans, plus Williams' KERS implemented in it will push that to be even more likely. Meanwhile, Porsche injects some more money into Williams, as well as being an engine supplier. Williams will NOT forever be a midfielder

[patrick]

According to Audi, they aren't going anywhere. So we'll see a nice 4 manufacturer battle in Le Mans, that is, if Aston sorts themselves out.

if you are referring to this statement from Audi:

“This is the decision of Porsche company, a decision in which Audi is not involved. Audi relishes the prospect of every strong new opponent at Le Mans and in the new FIA Sportscar World Championship. Porsche’s entry into the LMP1 class is evidence of the high level of attraction of sport prototypes”.

I don't really think it answers anything about their plans, just that lmp1 iz gud. I think if Audi intend to stay, we'll have a more comprehensive PR quote in the next few days or weeks, otherwise, I think it is likely that VW will not want to spend money on two factory outfits.

What I do want more than anything if for Williams to team up with Porsche, Porsche getting Williams' technical support in developing a LMP, they are experienced in winning in Le Mans, plus Williams' KERS implemented in it will push that to be even more likely. Meanwhile, Porsche injects some more money into Williams, as well as being an engine supplier. Williams will NOT forever be a midfielder

Sadly I don't think Porsche can afford to support a leading LMP1 project and Formula 1. But it does look likely Porsche intends to use hybrid technology in this project so it is possible Williams will be involved. As ADx_Wales says, BMW had it's brief tenure at Le Mans and then moved to F1 with Williams - it is possible that Porsche may have a similar plan - to remind Audi that it rules the roost and then take a successful partnership with Williams into F1 for what, 2016. All theories though.

[IdeFan]

Hopefully with another manufacturer on board using (presumably) petrol engines the ACO will finally address the ridiculous imbalance between petrols and diesels.

[dinizintheoven]

Porsche injects some more money into Williams, as well as being an engine supplier. Williams will NOT forever be a midfielder

...but which way they move in the field depends on whether Porsche provide a thumping great world-beater (à la 1983-87) or a clueless clunker (1991, six races, Auf Wiedersehen). Given that we're talking a turbo V6 and not an atmo V12, I'd hope it was the former.

[GroupLotusRenault]

Audi will stay in as even though both porshe and Audi are under VW group, they both still have indepedent owning and running of their compays. In many ways this could help williams as customer teams might want to buy their LMP1 cars, but on the otther hand if the cars are slow unreliable and off the pace this could be a complete disaster for the great but underfunded team.

[mario]

Williams will probably never win another GP, I've only ever properly seen them win once as I started watching properly in 2004.

Not sure how well they'll do in Le Mans.

1998 BMW Prototypes, were run in some form of collaboration with Williams, this was probably a precursor to the 2000 F1 Works deal.

I dont know how much of a collaboration it was, but the F1 fraction was removed before BMW won the year following.

It appears that the Williams F1 team were responsible for the design and construction of the chassis of BMW's V12 LM, and the (successful) replacement, the LMR (I'm not entirely sure who did the work on the aerodynamic package for the car, though that seems to have been done by BMW).