F1: Williams retain Jamie Chadwick but lose a major sponsor
Grove-based team suffer a financial blow ahead of the 2020 season
There’s mixed news today at Formula 1 strugglers ROKiT Williams Racing.
The Grove-based team have announced that talented female racer Jamie Chadwick will continue in the driver academy.
However, it’s also widely reported that a major sponsor is cutting ties ahead of the 2020 F1 season.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Chadwick retained
W Series champion Chadwick will continue her work as a development driver within the Williams academy.
According to a news release, Chadwick will “increase her simulator programme and continue to be fully immersed within the team both trackside and in the factory at Grove”.
The 21-year-old said: “It has been a fantastic opportunity working with the team in my role as development driver.
“The time spent in the simulator has been invaluable and I have enjoyed every moment, immersing myself within the team. I look forward to continuing to work with Williams this year.”
Deputy team principal Claire Williams added: “I am delighted to confirm that Jamie Chadwick will continue her work in the Williams Racing Driver Academy this year.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Jamie develop, and excel, both with the team and her time racing in W Series.
“Jamie has done an excellent job promoting women in motorsport and we are extremely proud of the work she has done.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Williams lose Rexona sponsorship
Despite the positivity surrounding Chadwick, Williams have been dealt a major financial blow ahead of the new campaign.
Polish sports publication Sportowe Fakty reports that Rexona will not renew its sponsorship contract for the 2020 season.
Williams have already lost Polish oil company PKN Orlen following Robert Kubica’s departure for Alfa Romeo and GPBlog adds that Rexona is “next out of the exit door” after ending its cooperation early.
According to Sportowe Fakty Rexona is the latest sponsor to leave the team after Symantec, Omnitude and Tata Communications.
Journalist Łukasz Kuczera said: “At the end of 2019, Williams lost not only Orlen’s support. The sponsorship agreement with Rexona has also expired and has not been renewed. This is another blow to the Grove stable, which in F1 barely makes ends meet.”
High hopes for Latifi’s arrival
After finishing rock bottom of the 2019 constructors’ championship with just one point, Williams go into the new season with a new driver, Nicholas Latifi, who replaces Kubica as George Russell’s team-mate.
Latifi’s arrival means it’s “not all doom and gloom” for Williams, GPBlog reports.
The driver’s billionaire father Michael Latifi will “prop up” the team financially, but GPBlog’s Louis Shaw says: “Williams knew they can’t rely on that having had Lawrence Stroll just walk away in the past to find a different team.
“The future for Williams is uncertain and the only way they can dig themselves out of the hole they are in is to start performing to attract some bigger sponsors.”
Claire Williams has been delighted with Latifi since he was promoted from test driver. Speaking about the 24-year-old Canadian she said: “He’s become a really great part of the team. He’s got a great personality, he did a good job in Formula 2, and I think he’ll be instrumental in driving the team forward.”
Meanwhile, Williams has today announced a strengthened partnership with Sofina Foods in 2020.
The Canadian food manufacturer, founded by Michael Latifi, first joined the team as a partner for the 2019 F1 season and its name will feature on the back of the FW43’s rear wing from the season-opening race in Australia.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
John Prescott: was he Labour's last link to the working class?
Today's Big Quesiton 'A total one-off' tributes have poured in for the former deputy PM and trade unionist
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mary Poppins tour: 'humdinger' of a show kicks off at Bristol Hippodrome
The Week Recommends Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers are 'true triple threats' as Mary and Bert in 'timeless' production
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Jaguar's stalled rebrand
In the spotlight Critics and car lovers are baffled by the luxury car company's 'complete reset'
By Abby Wilson Published
-
Christian Horner and the Red Bull saga that refuses to go away
Why everyone's talking about 'Too dizzy-making' even for the 'merry-go-round world of F1'
By The Week UK Published
-
Max Verstappen: F1’s record-breaking world champion
Why Everyone’s Talking About Red Bull star has surpassed records set by Schumacher, Vettel and Hamilton
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 ‘silly season’ hits top speed as 2023 grid takes shape
Under the Radar Twitter explodes with news of driver moves, denials and rumours
By Mike Starling Published
-
Lewis Hamilton on his F1 future: ‘I have plenty of fuel in the tank’
Under the Radar Seven-time world champion finished second on his 300th grand prix start
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1: a bumpy start to the season for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Under the Radar Only four races in and Mercedes already look off the pace
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1 Bahrain GP reactions: Ferrari ‘back with a bang’ as Leclerc ‘tames the beast’
feature The Tifosi celebrate a stunning one-two for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 2022 season guide: race calendar, championship standings and 2023 grid
feature Max Verstappen has now won 14 of this season’s 20 grands prix
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Lewis Hamilton’s future: could he retire from F1?
Why Everyone’s Talking About It remains ‘unclear’ if the seven-time world champion will be on the grid in 2022
By Mike Starling Published