Dubai: Williams boss Sir Frank Williams has sensationally made a double revelation in declaring his Formula One outfit will use British made Cosworth engines next season and that the team will announce its new driver line-up on Monday, a day after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Much is to change at Williams next season, with German driver Nico Rosberg announcing yesterday how he will drive for the last time as a Williams man in Abu Dhabi. Rubens Barrichello is widely expected to take his place with GP2 Series champion Nico Hulkenberg being drafted in to replace Kazuki Nakajima.
Following Abu Dhabi, Williams will also severe ties with Japanese engine manufacturer Toyota and move back to Cosworth.
Williams said: "Our performance needs to improve. We staggered in the second half of the 2009 season. It's fundamental that the car is not fast enough, but from what I've seen we should have been a little more competitive.
"So we will announce our drivers for next season on Monday. [Nico will be leaving] and we just thought it was quite a long time. There are a few things going on at Williams for next season, with our engines, so we thought we can do better. Nico is German and Mercedes need at least one German driver to sit before their engine."
In signing up with Cosworth, Williams said his team will be taking a "more private and independent" route in 2010. "We've finished our contract with Toyota and we've moved on to a British engine manufacturer Cosworth with whom we have won many world championships in the past.
"They are 50 miles away from Williams which is very convenient. Besides we also like our independence. We will be not under the influence, not that Toyota ever bossed around, but we've just gone a private and independent route."
Williams says there will always be a British Grand Prix, because not having one on the annual calendar will cause a huge uproar among racing fans. "Silverstone will always be there in F1 and they deserve to keep the Grand Prix because it is a great circuit."
