Jul.11 (GMM) Williams is likely to retain its current driver lineup for the 2012 season, according to chairman Adam Parr.

Team boss Frank Williams at Silverstone described Brazilian veteran Barrichello as "superb", while rookie and reigning GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado is improving and his Venezuelan sponsor PDVSA is under contract to the famous Oxfordshire based team.

Asked if that means Williams is keeping its drivers, Parr told reporters: "Yes. I think that's vastly the most likely outcome."

The previously ultra-successful Williams has had a challenging past half-decade, but the future looks brighter with Renault coming on board as engine supplier and Parr looking to seal new sponsor deals.

"I said to the marketing guys (last year) 'just back off. Keep things ticking over for the moment because we need to put in place a vision for the future which is very different to the vision of the present'," said the Briton, as Sam Michael prepares to depart as McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan has come on board.

"We have some fantastic conversations going on and I'm very optimistic we will bring in some stunning new partnerships for next year," he added.

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