AT&T no longer Williams title sponsor?

[John S]

Have they jumped, or has someone pushed in with a better offer?       
This may be why the team is taking so long over the 2nd race seat, do they need a new title sponsor or just some extra cash, with no clash of interest, from one of the experienced drivers available?

The Williams outfit has lost one its biggest financial backers and title sponsor, US telecommunications giant AT&T, which has been with the team since 2007.
 
Whilst an official announcement is yet to be made, the teams website now points to www.williamsf1.com, rather than www.attwilliams.com and all AT&T branding has been removed from the Williams logo, which has reverted to the outfit's standard 'W'.
 
The company is no longer listed as title sponsor in the 'Partners' section, but remains listed, suggesting AT&T may remain with reduced backing.
 
This would also support speculation that Williams have secured a new title sponsor, most likely that of the Qatari National Bank (QNB), which many in the paddock believed to have been in the final stages of agreeing a deal at the end of 2011.

Thef1times.com, Today.

[Jericoke]

I'm not sure if 'AT&T' is the same company that signed the contract in 2007

[cosworth151]

Yes, it is. It was just thwarted in its attempt to take over rival cell phone company T-Mobile, so it should have some extra cash on hand now. 

[Jericoke]

Yes, it is. It was just thwarted in its attempt to take over rival cell phone company T-Mobile, so it should have some extra cash on hand now. 

I was thinking in 2005, SBC took over AT&T, and then rebranded the entire company at&t in 2007.  (That is to say, the company called at&t is not the Ma Bell legal entity, in the same way that last season brought a confusion of teams named Lotus and Renault when neither was owned by that company)

I guess that predates the deal with Williams.

I would also guess that if t-mobile isn't becoming part of at&t, their interest in sponsoring European racing has dwindled.