Williams to answer a new call

LONDON: The Williams Formula One team are seeking a new title sponsor after the termination of their agreement with AT&T.

“We have reached the conclusion of our partnership, the contract expired on December 31 by mutual agreement,” a team spokeswoman said yesterday.

The AT&T branding had also been removed from the team website and list of partners.

Media reports indicated the AT&T deal had been worth around $7-million (about R57million) a season, a comparatively small sum compared to title sponsorships at many other teams, but still an important contribution to the overall budget.

The British-based team endured their worst season last year, taking just five points from 19 races and finishing ninth overall.

The former world champions lost two blue chip sponsors at the end of 2010, with Dutch electronics company Philips and previous title backer Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) departing.

However, the team gained Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA along with driver Pastor Maldonado.

They have also built up a relationship with Qatar, where they have a technology centre, and are hoping to strengthen those ties further.

A team source said the AT&T deal had not been ‘sustainable’ at the existing level and Williams were now in advanced negotiations with another telecommunications company for the title sponsorship. No details were given.

Williams have yet to decide their second driver for the 2012 season starting with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 18.

Rubens Barrichello is hoping to be kept on for his 20th season in F1 but faces strong competition from Adrian Sutil.

Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna are among several other 2011 drivers also looking for seats after being dropped by Renault, who will race this year as Lotus. – Reuters