December 30, 2010
Published on tags: Superleague
European Williamson Dynamics Grand Prix have announced their intention to launch their 2011 GPVWC Superleague challenger on January 28th, to coincide with the team's second anniversary. It remains unclear if a full livery will be launched at the same time however.

The chassis, designated the WDF1.11, is widely expected to be an aggressive design and the team have made many confident noises during the development process. Details are thin on the ground beyond the team's performance claims, however it has been learned that a new, in-house developed 7-speed sequential shift carbon fibre gearbox has been developed especially for the new car which casts further doubt over the future of the team's relationship with current engine supplier, Toyota.

While the team maintain this new gearbox has been developed purely to provide a better suited solution for this new, longer wheelbase design, many inside the GPVWC see this as furthe rindication that the team will be looking to switch engine supply for the coming season. Despite repeated questions, the team remain exceptionally quiet on the issue, furthe rfuelling the doubts by refusing to openly commit to Toyota Motorsport.

Director of Team Operations, Marco Vandenbroeck finally drew a line under things, insisting the team did not want to be dsitracted any further by speculation;

"We feel unfair scrutiny is being placed on our association with Toyota. In series where we do not develop and supply our own engines, Williamson Dynamics have always been very closely associated with Cosworth, why is that relationship not given such analysis? We run in one series with Toyota power, it's pure gossip to incinuate there is any kind of special relationship between our brands beyond the professional terms of our agreement. We remain of the opinion that Toyota motorsport have fulfilled al their guarantees and remain one of the world's most pre-eminent engine manufacturers. Quality is not an issue and we feel happy with engine performance data gathered over the past 12 months. We now feel this topic is closed and will be answering no further questions regarding our arrangements with Toyota."

Despite the team's best efforts, the general consensus remains that the team are poised to switch to BMW power in 2011. The team have confirmed that the car will be shaken down with a GP-O spec Williamson Dynamics Series 2 engine, a statement which continues to indicate a supply change is imminent.