Williams engines to wear Lexus badges in future?

Although they are likely to retain Toyota badges on the grid in 2007, it has been hinted that the Japanese manufacturer may re-brand the engines to be supplied to Williams in the future to their luxury car brand Lexus.

The mooting of a Lexus badge in Formula One has been banded about for some time but with Williams set to resume testing with the manufacturers' engines in the back of their cars, the rumours have returned and are becoming more persistent and sense worthy.

Harbouring a reputation of being a rather corporate-orientated team Toyota's engine supply to Williams has already extended further than using their V8 units following the announcement that Toyota Driver Program enrolled Kazuki Nakajima will be their test driver for 2007.

Indeed, despite having arguably the largest budget on the grid and being unable to get a win to their name since they entered Formula One back in 2002, their foray into the sport has nonetheless been considered a marketing success and it is something they apparently want to extend.

However, while Toyota have been happy to let Jordan and the subsequent Spyker-MF1 utilise the badge for their cars over the last couple of years, according to US magazine Autoweek it is understood the corporations top brass are eager to see the Lexus name promoted at the sport's pinnacle.

The case for introducing Lexus to Formula One is compelling, not least because the relatively young brand now has a global presence, particularly in the core American, Japanese and European markets, with Toyota apparently eager to push the manufacturer as a viable alternative to fellow F1 brands BMW and Mercedes.

Still, it remains unlikely such a change will occur over the 2007 season, not least because such a move is said to be unpopular with Toyota F1 bosses Tsutomu Tomita and John Howett.

The Lexus rumour comes after suggestions that Nissan could debut in Formula One as an engine supplier thanks to their links with Renault.