Williams Formula 1 boss James Vowles has denied that sponsor deals with Argentinian companies had a role in the choice to promote Franco Colapinto mid-season.
The Grove-based squad announced prior to this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix that Colapinto would replace the ousted Logan Sargeant over the remaining nine rounds.
Sargeant’s torrid Zandvoort weekend – which comprised a huge crash in FP3 – resigned him to being dropped as Vowles set about evaluating the possible alternatives.
Vowles was reported to have held discussions with Red Bull over loaning Liam Lawson, but the New Zealander’s contractual commitment meant a deal was ruled out.
But while Mercedes had been willing to release reserve driver Mick Schumacher to revive his F1 career, Vowles opted to promote Colapinto to partner with Alex Albon.
Colapinto has become the first Argentine to compete in F1 since Gastón Mazzacane in 2001 and his step-up from Formula 2 has provided much attention back home.
Williams has since announced two new commercial agreements with Argentinian companies Globant and Mercado Libre to increase the team’s sponsorship portfolio.
However, Vowles has quashed the claim that Williams’ decision came down to retaining lucrative deals on the table should Colapinto be handed the drive mid-season.
“What I’ll make very clear to everyone here is no sponsorship was linked to signing him,” Vowles told media including Motorsport Week at Monza.
“Actually, we signed him at the point of not knowing anything in the future.”
Vowles has revealed, though, that Williams has been inundated with potential sponsorship arrangements in Colapinto’s native country since the change was revealed.
However, the Briton is adamant that the brands that have submitted proposals are as invested in the British outfit’s endeavours to return to the sharp end in the sport.
“What then transpired, and it hasn’t finished yet, the phone is still ringing off the hook, is a number of Argentine companies, of which there are many, are calling,” he said.
“They’re paying market rate for stickers on the car, fundamentally. So it’s nothing related to Franco. They want to be part of the journey.
“And part of the journey beyond 2024, just to be clear as well. I hope many of them will see where we end up.
“But you’ll see stickers appearing on the car around Baku time. I’m not sure how many at the moment, because genuinely we are getting huge amounts of interest from Argentina.
“But at the point of choosing Franco, there was no finance involved in it.
“And to be really blunt on it as well, there was finance being offered on the table from other sources. That’s not of interest. This is about investing in our academy and in our future.”
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