Williams sponsored by Martini?
The Williams F1 team could be sponsored for the 2014 season by Martini Racing, which would make a return to the sport after an initial stint in the 1970s.
Barely had the Williams FW36 been unveiled when a rumor emerged about the team’s title sponsor, which could lend its colors to the new livery in place of the provisional “heritage blue” bodywork presented this Thursday, January 23. It could indeed be Martini, the Italian vermouth brand (an aperitif made from white wine), through its famous “Martini Racing” branch.
It was the Brazilian website Diario Motorsport that relayed this rumor, which was quickly picked up by several media outlets. The Williams FW36 could therefore be adorned with the traditional colors of the spirits company, which are red, blue, and white. The official announcement could take place in Jerez, possibly with a presentation of the new livery on the morning of the first winter tests on January 28.
The announcement of a possible return of Martini will not surprise enthusiasts of the discipline, as the brand’s involvement in motorsport has been constant. In Formula 1, Martini Racing sponsored the Italian team Tecno starting in 1972, before withdrawing at the end of the 1973 season due to a lack of results. Martini then went on to sponsor the Brabham team, led by Bernie Ecclestone, initially by simply placing its logo on the 1974 BT44 and then becoming the official name of the team from 1975 until 1977 before choosing to sponsor, in 1979, the reigning world champion team: Lotus. However, after an unproductive season, Martini Racing would withdraw once more.
Martini remains especially famous for its involvement with Porsche at the 24 Hours of Le Mans where the 1971 (Porsche 917), 1976, and 1977 (Porsche 936) editions were won by cars in the brand’s colors.
