Williams today announced a multi-year partnership with Petrobas, a Brazilian oil company.
The deal was likely influenced by the arrival of Felipe Massa, who was sponsored by Petrobas when he raced with Sauber, at Williams in place of outgoing Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado. Maldonado had previously brought money from PDVSA, a Venezuelan oil company, to Williams.
“Petrobras and Williams have had a successful partnership before and we are both looking forward to reuniting for 2014,” Williams Team Principal Frank Williams said in a statement.
“Technologically they are very strong and that will be important for the team as the new regulations have made fuel efficiency increasingly important.”
“We are very happy to be going back to the biggest motorsport competition in the world,” Petrobas President Maria das Gracas Silva Foster said today. “During the 11 years that Williams was by our side we made significant advances in product development, such as Podium gasoline.
“Participating in this competition is a huge challenge, since it requires us to always be ready to meet the highest standards required for quality and efficiency demanded by this category. We are very excited to start this new challenge.”
Williams were previously partnered between 1998 and 2008. The Petrobas logo will feature on the side of the cockpit, the racing overalls and team-wear of Williams.
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