Mecachrome Deal Angers Williams
The possibility that Mecachrome engines could be widely available next season has angered Williams team boss Frank Williams.
A new deal which sees ex-Benetton boss Flavio Briatore take control of Mecachrome supply requires all existing contracts between the engine tuner and teams to be renegotiated. This apparently contradicts the terms of Williams' current agreement with Mecachrome, which expires at the end of the century. Williams' contract stipulates that the engine may only be supplied to one other team, with Benetton taking up the offer for 1998 and beyond.
The possibility that Mecachrome engines could be widely available next season has angered Williams team boss Frank Williams.
A new deal which sees ex-Benetton boss Flavio Briatore take control of Mecachrome supply requires all existing contracts between the engine tuner and teams to be renegotiated. This apparently contradicts the terms of Williams' current agreement with Mecachrome, which expires at the end of the century. Williams' contract stipulates that the engine may only be supplied to one other team, with Benetton taking up the offer for 1998 and beyond.
However, both the new British American Racing team and the existing Sauber and Minardi outfits are known to be angling after Mecachrome engines for 1999. The deal, brokered by Bernie Ecclestone who is keen to see F1 engine supplies guaranteed, would allow for one, if not all, of these to be supplied with the Renault designed engines next season. BAR remains favourite.
The new company - christened Super Performance Competition Engineering - is owned jointly by Briatore and Mecachrome and will issue the existing Mecachrome (or Playlife for Benetton) engines under the Supertec Sports brand name.
