Formula One news

Frank hails Bridgestone future

Sir Frank Williams reckons switching to Bridgestone tyres will give his beleaguered team a 2006 boost. Many in the F1 paddock obviously question the wisdom of scrapping a supplier that has dominated the current season. Similarly, Williams will next year wear a tyre on which Ferrari failed in 2005 to conquer a championship it has dominated for half a decade.

"We felt we'd rather be a serious player amongst a small crowd," team principal Williams said, "than one of seven."

Sir Frank does, however, recognise the danger of sharing a tyre with Ferrari, who traditionally monopolise development of the Japanese product. But he said: "I am sure Ferrari's eyes have been opened to the necessity of having one or two other teams join."

Shanghai, then, will be the last grand prix at which Williams will run on Michelin tyres. The Chinese finale will also mark a farewell to the six-year Williams-BMW pairing.

"In this period," Sauber-bound BMW motor sport director Mario Theissen said, "both parties benefited and learnt a lot from each other. Unfortunately, we did not reach our mutual goal of winning the world championship."

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