Williams establish technical centre in Qatar

Williams are to open the first Formula One-related technical centre outside of Europe in the Middle Eastern state of Qatar. The Williams Technology Centre (WTC) will be based at the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) and will be tasked with developing F1 technologies for commercial application.

Williams 將在中東的卡達設立一個與F1有關的研究中心，這會是第一個設在歐洲外的研發單位。威廉斯科技中心 (WTC)將設立在卡達的科學與技術園區(QSTP)，並且發展將F1技術與商業應用作結合。

Initially it will focus on two such projects, both with clear commercial goals - the industrial application of large Magnetically Loaded Composite (MLC) flywheels and the advancement of Williams’ simulator know-how for competition and road car use.

在一開始將專注於兩個專案，都帶有明確的商業目標。大型磁性複合材料飛輪在工業的應用和發展威廉斯的模擬器並應用於比賽和民用車。

The flywheel project will address their potential to store and release energy very quickly. Initial target markets include mass transit systems such as trains and trams. The development of new driver simulation technology will be aimed at road car training, safety and entertainment, as well as competition simulators for other motorsport series.

飛輪的方案將展示發展潛力和儲存、釋放能量的速度有多迅速，目標市場是大型運輸系統如火車和有軌電車。而發展新的模擬駕駛技術目標是在道路練習和安全還有娛樂方面，將和其他模擬系統作競爭。

The WTC is expected to employ 20 staff, with a multi-million dollar R&D budget and a carefully projected revenue stream that will reward both Williams and QSTP, who are investing in the project and are already renowned for the research, development and commercialisation of new technologies by companies such as Shell and Microsoft.

WTC 預期有20個部門和數百萬元的研發預算，已經投入得專案和研發成果估計將可為威廉斯和QSTP帶來收入。

“It is perhaps outside of conventional practice for a Formula One team to move such activities out of Europe, but we have been very impressed with the fertile environment QSTP presents for research and development and the vision Her Highness Sheikha Mozah has for Qatar leading in the development of beneficial technologies,” said team boss Frank Williams.

"將中心設在歐洲外對F1車隊來說不合常例，但是我們對於QSTP目前所提供的研究和發展資源印象深刻，Her Highness Sheikha Mozah 的眼光使得卡達在發展科技上受益良多"車隊老闆Frank Williams表示。

“After detailed consideration, we've decided this is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss, and we look forward to supporting the future of Williams F1 in part from the development and application of F1-inspired technologies to the wider world.”

"在詳細考慮後，我們認為這是一個不能錯過的好機會，我們希望以後在多方面發展和運用F1科技，能對我們的F1事業有更大的幫助"。

To celebrate the agreement, the QSTP identity will form a prominent part of Williams’ race livery for this weekend’s inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

為了慶祝這個合約，QSTP標誌將會在本週末的阿布達比站出現在威廉斯制服上。