The Williams F1 Team is set to undergo a major livery change ahead of the 2014 season after rumours that Martini has signed a title sponsor deal with the Grove outfit appear to be true.
The deal had been speculated about in late-2013, but it’s believed nothing had been signed until recently, with the drinks giant apparently in talks with both Ferrari and McLaren as well as Williams.
The final decision went Williams’ way due to the cost of such a deal. Martini’s budget wouldn’t allow for title sponsorship of Ferrari or McLaren as that would set a company back upwards of £50 million (€60m, $83m) per season.
Title sponsorship of Williams – which is likely to see the team renamed Williams Martini Racing – is far less due to their disappointing results lately.
The cars will be rebranded in Martini colours of white, red and blue which will be a major change from the team’s most recent all-blue livery.
The deal isn’t expected to be announced until the Australian Grand Prix when the cars hit the track for the first time officially in March.
Martini is a subsidiary of Bacardi & Company Ltd, which is the world’s largest privately owned spirits company in the world.
