Williams linked with possible VW F1 program?

German sports paper Sport Bild reports that the Williams Formula 1 team could sell an interest in its operation to Volkswagen, as a step toward the German manufacturer becoming involved in F1, who has already sold a 20-percent share in his once great Grove-based team to Austrian Toto Wolff, could sell another stake to Wolfsburg-based VW.

"We are stronger with a manufacturer than as a private team. No question," Williams, who sold a 20-percent stake in his team to an Austrian businessman over the winter, told the paper. "German cars are great: With Mercedes, Brawn won the title last year, and with McLaren in the previous year.  And now they (Mercedes) are up there with their own team."

Williams, which currently runs Cosworth engines, enjoyed World Championship successes in the past with Honda and Renault, and was last a race winner in F1 in 2004, in association with BMW.