Martini back with Williams!

[Vince]

Just heard that the Williams team have announced their new title sponsor as being Martini... I believe that the car isn't going to be launched in its racing colours until just before the Oz GP, however I can't wait to see it! Martini was with Brabham and Lotus and more recently with Ferrari with a small logo on the nose... I think that the new team name is going to be 'Williams Martini Racing'.

[Scott]

Why thank you bartender, I'll have a Williams Martini.  Shaken, not stirred.   

I remember Claire said in Brazil that they would be making a new major sponsor announcement shortly.  Ok, it wasn't exactly shortly, but I'll take it.

Great for Williams...now everyone go out and buy a bottle to support them.   

[F1fanaticBD]

Except for the fact that it emerged into a merchandising website (which was promptly removed once it got viral) there is nothing to it at all, which to me seems very odd. Martini's comeback will always be appreciated, so why is this hush-hush from Williams  .

That Martini livery has always been a treasured heritage across motorsports, if they have an announcement they should made it public, and rejoice the wave of appreciation. Unveiling this one in Melbourne seems to me a waste of PR opportunity that the team could have capitalized in this pre-season time.

In terms of Ian's language it means this (I am sure the dresses will be much more skimpy    )

[Ian]

I'm counting on it BD.   

[Irisado]

I thought Pierluigi Martini was making a comeback when I saw the title of this thread!

More seriously, this would be that piece of big news that Claire Williams didn't want to tell the BBC then. I really don't understand why it has taken so long to announce it, but I hope that it comes to fruition.

[vintly]

On one hand I'm glad Williams have a sponsor, but on the other hand I couldn't care less who sponsors who, as long as it puts cars on the grid.

[Dare]

On one hand I'm glad Williams have a sponsor, but on the other hand I couldn't care less who sponsors who, as long as it puts cars on the grid.

agreed

[lkjohnson1950]

A couple of writers say this whole rumor is based on a rendering in an ad for an F1 gear shop. The admen put in a shirt with Williams and Martini logos with apparently no confirmation from either was true.

 

[vintly]

I saw that pic via Twiter. In the foreground was a Mercedes / Lewis Hamilton cap, but in the regular baseball-cap style that he flat-refused to wear last year. Didn't lend the image a great deal of authority...

[John S]

F1fanatic website are showing a screenshot from the 'OnPole' merchandise site, the other gear featured looks kosher to me but make your own minds up.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/02/12/f1-fanatic-round-1202/

[Scott]

I thought Lewis didn't like the turquoise Petronas on his hat, or at least not how they had done it.  Anyhow, looking at that F1Fanatic post, I would say it lends credibility to the Martini branding, they didn't accidentally put a Williams shirt in there, especially one with the wrong branding.  I suspect they just put it in early.  I can't seem to make out the other sponsors on that screenshot, but I guess they are current.

[lkjohnson1950]

F1fanatic website are showing a screenshot from the 'OnPole' merchandise site, the other gear featured looks kosher to me but make your own minds up.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/02/12/f1-fanatic-round-1202/

If you follow that link now, you will see that the Williams shirt has been pulled and replaced with a second Mercedes shirt in the On Pole ad. DOH!!

[John S]

F1fanatic website are showing a screenshot from the 'OnPole' merchandise site, the other gear featured looks kosher to me but make your own minds up.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/02/12/f1-fanatic-round-1202/

If you follow that link now, you will see that the Williams shirt has been pulled and replaced with a second Mercedes shirt in the On Pole ad. DOH!!

It's worse than that there is no Williams clothing products at all now at the on pole site, not even previous year's gear. So it seems steps have been taken by someone. ????

Team apparel has to be produced in advance of the season and since the start is not far away product will surely already have been shipped by suppliers. Still we'll have to wait and see.