Williams insist BMW will stay

Williams are confident they will remain with engine partners BMW in the future despite the rumours that they are on the verge of a supply deal with Sauber.

Williams are confident they will remain with engine partners BMW in the future despite the German company admitting they are on the verge of a supply deal with privateer team Sauber.

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BMW joined forces with Williams in 2000 but the relationship has had difficulties and there have been suggestions that a Sauber secondary supply deal could eventually lead to a split with Williams.

But Williams technical director Sam Michael talked down the rumours here Thursday and said: "The Williams and BMW relationship is very strong at the moment, from an engineering level all the way up to board level.

"The whole company (BMW) has exactly the same philosophy and desires as Williams. Both teams want to win and they both agree on how they go about doing their winning.

"In terms of the future, I think BMW have already gone on record as saying that not continuing with Williams is not an option as well. We fully expect to continue with BMW."