31 Oct 2009

Williams to use Cosworth engines from next year

11:57 am on 31 October 2009

The Formula One team Williams will use Cosworth engines next season with their 2010 driver line-up to be announced next week.

Williams said in a statement at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that they had signed a long-term agreement with Cosworth, who last powered them in 2006, to replace Toyota.

Williams, whose team are former champions but last won in 2004, was quoted in the Gulf News newspaper as saying the drivers would be announced next week.

Germany's Nico Rosberg has already said he was leaving the team after, with Williams widely expected to name an all-new pairing of Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello and Germany's GP2 champion Nico Hulkenberg.

Japan's Kazuki Nakajima, Rosberg's team mate this season, is a Toyota-backed driver and set to leave after Williams decided not to continue with the manufacturer's engines.

Nakajima has also failed to score a point this year.

Barrichello, 37, has won two races this year with new champions Brawn and is fighting for second place in the standings.

Rosberg is tipped to take his place at Mercedes-powered Brawn.

Williams said the team's performance overall needed to improve next year. They are currently sixth overall in the constructors' standings.