The Grove-based company remains defiant in the face of all the gloom.
According to news agency Reuters, Williams are in “advanced negotiations”
with another telecommunications company over the title sponsorship ATT
was believed to be providing around £4.5 million per season – while QNB, the
national bank of Qatar, has also been touted as a potential title sponsor. A
team spokesperson declined to comment on this speculation when contacted by Telegraph
Sport.
And with an all-new technical line-up in place, a new engine supply deal with
Renault and the deepening of the company’s ties with Qatar – where Williams
has a technology centre – there is hope that better times are around the
corner.
It remains unclear, however, who will be driving for the team in 2012.
Pastor Maldonado, who brings with him backing from Venezuelan state oil
company PDVSA, has been confirmed in one of the two race seats, but the
second remains up for grabs.
Adrian Sutil, Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna, all of whom bring sponsorship
money with them, are all thought to be keen. But Rubens Barrichello may yet
stay and complete a 20th season in the sport after it was reported that he,
too, has found backing to continue.