 Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna were Hispania's first-choice drivers at the start of the season
Former champions Williams will supply gearboxes to the Hispania Racing Team next season as the Formula 1 newcomers aim to build on their debut season. Hispania, who were a late addition to the 2010 season grid, have not scored a point in 17 races and there had been doubts raised over their future. "This partnership is a significant step forward to improve our performance," said Hispania principal Colin Kolles. Williams and Hispania both have their engines supplied by Cosworth. Williams chief executive officer Alex Burns said it was a "logical partnership" given the engine link between the teams.  | 606: DEBATE |
"Our gearbox technology has consistently proven itself as both competitive and reliable and hence this agreement will be a positive development for both organisations," he added. Like the other 2010 newcomers, Lotus and Virgin Racing, Hispania started the season using Xtrac gearboxes. Lotus, who have ended their engine agreement with Cosworth for next year, have already announced that Red Bull Technology will be supplying them with gearboxes in 2011. The team endured a troubled start to their F1 career, with an internal takeover and subsequent name change from Campos Meta to Hispania in the build-up to the 2010 campaign. And the Spanish marque only just made it on to the grid for the season-opener in Bahrain in March after a race against time to be ready. They began with Brazilian Bruno Senna and India's Karun Chandhok as their drivers, before Sakon Yamamoto was drafted in for the British Grand Prix after bringing money to the team. Initially he replaced Senna but then he took Chandhok's seat from the following race in Germany. And Austrian veteran Christian Klien was given his first F1 drive in four years when he deputised for the ill Yamamoto at the Singapore Grand Prix.
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