Martini and Williams Racing have confirmed that their sponsorship agreement will not be extended. After five years with the Grove-based team, their partership comes to an end and the iconic blue, red and white livery will not be in the 2019 car. Despite this break-up has been announced before the 2018 season began, the agreement is still valid for the upcoming season.
The news have been released during pre-season testing at the Barcelona-Catalunya. The spirit drinks company, owned by Bacardi Group joined Williams as title sponsor in 2014, when the V6 Turbo era began. Since then, the team’s performance drastically improved due to the Mercedes engine, and the team ended in third place in Constructors’ Championship in 2014 and 2015.
“We have discussed extending beyond 2018.” Said team principal Claire Williams. “While we would both like to do so, the Bacardi Group have told us that they will step away entirely from Formula 1 when our contract expires at the end of this year. They have many brands to support and obviously their strategic priorities evolve over time.”
“A strong partner community is central to our operation,” She added. “But I wouldn’t assume that we would prioritise title partnership above anything else”.
Depite getting worse results in 2017, the team’s economic situation is stable and good thanks to the economic support brought by drivers Sergey Sirotkin, who is backed by SMP Racing; and Lance Stroll, who is supported by his wealthy family. No announcement or rumour about a possible replacement has been made. What is certain is that the British team will not have the iconic Martini livery and will change its colour pattern for next year. The Martini colour scheme made its last appearance on an F1 car back in 1979 before returning with Williams in 2014.
The 2018 Formula 1 season is to begin the 25th of March with the Australian GP as the opening round.