Frank Williams has confirmed to Autosport that the Williams Formula 1 team will switch to Cosworth engines next year. Williams’ contract with existing engine manufacturer Toyota has now expired which allowed the team to look further afield for a deal for 2010 onwards. Frank Willams said,

“We’ve finished our contract with Toyota and we’ve moved on to a British engine manufacturer Cosworth with whom we have won many world championships in the past. They are 50 miles away from Williams which is very convenient. Besides we also like our independence. We will be not under the influence, not that Toyota ever bossed around, but we’ve just gone a private and independent route.”

Williams also announced that they will be confirming their drivers for 2010 on Monday. After weeks of speculation, it has been strongly suggested that Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenburg will drive for the team. Nico Rosberg confirmed yesterday that he will leave the team after the Abu Dhabi race, assumingly because already has a drive elsewhere (either McLaren or Brawn GP). Pointing to this, Williams said,

“There are a few things going on at Williams for next season, with our engines, so we thought we can do better. Nico is German and Mercedes need at least one German driver to sit before their engine.”