HP Announces Conclusion of Successful BMW WilliamsF1 Team Relationship

[Matra et Alpine]

Hewlett Packard today announced that it will conclude its sponsorship with the BMW WilliamsF1 Team at the end of the 2005 season.

HP has been the principal sponsor of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team since the 2000 Formula One season. Over the past six seasons, HP has successfully partnered with the BMW WilliamsF1 Team as their technology provider in the world's leading technology-driven sport.

"This has been a successful global branding property and an excellent technology partnership for HP," said Cathy Lyons, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, HP. "We have met our objectives and it is a natural moment for HP to conclude our relationship. We wish them all the best as they go in a new direction next season."

In 2005 alone, HP's Formula One presence has acted as a touch-point for the HP brand in more than 200 countries, with a worldwide audience at 160 million for each of the 19 Grand Prix. The relationship has seen the BMW WilliamsF1 Team garner 42 podium finishes, including 10 Grand Prix victories. The team finished second in the Constructors Championship in both 2002 and 2003.

HP's technology contribution has been key throughout its relationship with the team, helping WilliamsF1 reduce its cost of operation and maximizing its investment in innovation.

"HP has made an important contribution to the team over the last six years, in particular establishing a technology base and IT approach for us which we believe has put us at the forefront of F1 teams in this respect," said Sir Frank Williams, principal of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team.

HP will continue as the principal sponsor of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team until the completion of the 2005 Formula One season and will work closely with the team to pursue the best results possible as the season closes in Brazil, Japan and China.





No comments about who if anyone they'll sponsor next year

[greg.harvey]

They also announced 6,000 job losses in Europe today. Obviously tightening their purse strings.

[blackcat77]

Williams moves one more step toward Minardiland...

[h00t_h00t]

Maybe Red Bull will buy them...

[Cotterik]

Why? I dont get it, why leave?

[Matra et Alpine]

Why? I dont get it, why leave?

budget probably.

New CEO at the helm who probably isn't as driven by "corporate image" and freebies for the board possibly.

Carly was the antithesis of that with her private jet - a first ever in HP SHe was finally kicked out.

Screwign with the HP image perchance. This years car had the HP and invent logo with a shadow. THAT is not permitted in HPs branding guidelines. So someone probably got their ass kicked and got some focus on what the F1 was delivering for HP. A computer/services company doesn't really want to be associated with something that is under-powered and unreliable and doesnt' deliver

Of course as noted, they've not said WHAT they're doign next year. So it might be BMW, it might be Williams ? Or maybe they'll switch to MotoGP

[Coventrysucks]

Woops!

No engines... no sponsor... only one driver

2006 looks grim.

Seems hard to believe that Williams used to be a good F1 team once upon a time.

What is Frank playing at?

[Matra et Alpine]

Woops!

No engines... no sponsor... only one driver

2006 looks grim.

especially if everybody is goign to over-react to a sponsor dropping out of a team that is folding

Seems hard to believe that Williams used to be a good F1 team once upon a time.

What is Frank playing at?

Returning Williams control to a TEAM who won't have in-fighting and will work TOGETHER to WIN rather than to make public announcements 'proving' it's not their fault ??
Briatore has shown what a SMALLER team can do and he has backed the drive to lower costs. Independant teams will be necessary to keep F1 interesting.

[Jack_Bauer]

This could be bad news for Button and BAR. It seems that BAR are trying to negotiate a fee to compensate SFW for keeping hold of JB. Apparently £12 million has already been turned down by Williams. Now with major sponsors pulling out of WilliamsF1 it means that SFW will want to hold out for as much as possible to help fill the big hole in funding left by HP.

Could mean that it won't turn out too bad for Williams if BAR stump up the cash. It's thought that the contract JB signed with Williams was worth in the region of £6million per year. Now Williams could probably hire a decent young driver in lieu of Button (Pizzonia, Rosberg?) for a HELL of a lot less money thereby saving a ton of money over the next 2 years, AND they could get a hefty some of money from BAR. That would comfortably cover the estimated £8million cost of the Cosworth engines for next year, plus a bit extra. As long as they can find a decent major sponsor to replace HP in needn't be the end of the world for WilliamsF1.

Slightly off topic, but I believe today is the day the option the Williams has on Nick Heidfeld's services expires. With the Button situation still rumbling on it's unlikely that Williams will commit to a new contract for Heidfeld. Plus after his excellent year he'd probably be due a pay rise, something SFW can ill afford at the moment. I think it's almost certain that Heidfeld will become the German poster-boy for the all new BMW F1 team.

[fpv_gtho]

On the contrary, they may pick up Heidfelds option, sell Button to BAR and Heidfeld to BMW and get even more compensation.

[Wouter Melissen]

"BMW Contracts Nick Heidfeld from 2006"

BMW and Nick Heidfeld will embark on a joint future in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 2006. The Munich automobile manufacturer has concluded a three-year contract with the racing driver from Mönchengladbach (28). This fills the first cockpit in the new team run by BMW.

[fpv_gtho]

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=34076

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=34077

seems theres very little doubt left over BMW's lineup. Its been said that if Williams took Heidfelds option, it would weaken their stance on Heidfeld, but his option was another strong bargaining tool to BMW for more money

[2ndclasscitizen]

So Williams has lost even more HP, eh? Thats gotta be bad for car speed

[fpv_gtho]

Nice on there

FW sounds like he had a fair bit of new sponsorship on its way thats now in jeopardy with Buttongate 2