Williams will lose their title sponsor Martini at the end of the 2018 season.
The news comes as the Bacardi Group – who own the Martini brand -will end their involvement in Formula One after their Williams contract comes to an end. Claire Williams has said that the team’s young driver line-up of Lance Stroll (19) and Sergey Sirotkin (22) has had no influence on the decision. Despite Martini’s wishes for a driver over the age of 25 for marketing purposes, Williams says:
“[They were] fully aware of our plans and supportive of it. I suppose next year, it gives us the freedom to do what we are able to do without having to worry about any age limit”
Martini have been associated with Williams since the 2014 season, and previously sponsored Brabham and Lotus in the 1970s. The news means that the 2019 Williams is likely to have a refreshed livery.
