‘I still talk regularly on the telephone to Mario’
Despite their business split, Sir Frank Williams says he still talks regularly with BMW`s Dr Mario Theissen.
The Grove based co-owner and chief, who will turn sixty four in April, clearly does not bear the same sort of caustic relationship with Germany`s Theissen as does partner Patrick Head.
After a six year engine pairing, BMW and Williams parted company at the end of last year, with both citing differences in `culture` as a major hitch.
“Some people advise me to the contrary,” Williams told Auto Bild, “but I still talk regularly on the telephone to Mario.”
Williams, to operate Grove as a true independent team in 2006, rejects the notion that he prefers to stay away from car makers.

“It is wrong to say that our culture does not fit in with a manufacturer,” he insisted. “But probably Renault, and now the Cosworth people, are easier for us to work with than BMW were.”

It has also been pointed out that, with Alex Wurz on the books as a 2006 test driver, perhaps the Austrian would be a better choice to partner Mark Webber as race team-mate.

Williams denies that team rookie Nico Rosberg was signed because his title winning father`s name might attract backers. “Absolutely, no,” Williams said. “What impressed and convinced me of his potential was his aggression during (GP2) races last year. Watching him overtake was like watching a dancer.”

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