[ 2020 ] Williams F1 Team - Mercedes

[Jackles-UK]

Hopefully this doesn’t mean the end of the Williams story, it’d be such a shame to lose a team that has been so integral in shaping the sport we see today and so many world champions through their support of young drivers.

One glimmer of hope for them is that with the freeze on much of the expensive development for 2021, the cost cap and the aero handicap rules (which would give them over 20% more aero time next year than the leaders in their current place) coming in, Williams must be quite an attractive option for anyone looking to get involved in F1, particularly given their history, prestige and fan base. I’m thinking along the lines of the Genii deal to run as Lotus a few years ago. It’s just who out there has the cash to spare at a time like this.

[bill shoe]

The team by itself would be obviously worth something, especially with F1 coming to its senses in terms of cost cap, etc. Unfortunately, the team has considerable debt and any new owner would also be taking on the debt. This makes it unclear if the overall team has any net value at present.

Don't know anything about UK bankruptcy law. Any chance of the team shedding some debt in bankruptcy process and coming out other end in better shape?

[adrianjordan]

The team by itself would be obviously worth something, especially with F1 coming to its senses in terms of cost cap, etc. Unfortunately, the team has considerable debt and any new owner would also be taking on the debt. This makes it unclear if the overall team has any net value at present.

Don't know anything about UK bankruptcy law. Any chance of the team shedding some debt in bankruptcy process and coming out other end in better shape?

I'm by no means anything close to approaching knowledgeable on bankruptcy law, but I'm fairly sure I've heard of companies declaring bankruptcy and then selling their assets to a new corporate entity which carries on where the old one left off.

If Williams were to do this obviously they'd need permission from F1 to carry on racing etc, but I am sure that in the current economic climate they would get all the help they could ask for.

[adrianjordan]

They have terminated the sponsorship

https://twitter.com/WilliamsRacing/stat ... 2944403462

Anyone know what happened?

My guess is Rokit not paid up, but that is nothing more than a guess.

I did see an advert in TV the other day for Rokit car cleaning products "approved by Williams F1 Team" and thought it sounded cheesy and not the image any F1 team would want....

[Raleigh]

The team by itself would be obviously worth something, especially with F1 coming to its senses in terms of cost cap, etc. Unfortunately, the team has considerable debt and any new owner would also be taking on the debt. This makes it unclear if the overall team has any net value at present.

Don't know anything about UK bankruptcy law. Any chance of the team shedding some debt in bankruptcy process and coming out other end in better shape?

I'm by no means anything close to approaching knowledgeable on bankruptcy law, but I'm fairly sure I've heard of companies declaring bankruptcy and then selling their assets to a new corporate entity which carries on where the old one left off.

If Williams were to do this obviously they'd need permission from F1 to carry on racing etc, but I am sure that in the current economic climate they would get all the help they could ask for.

As I understand it selling on the assets after bankruptcy or administration requires a settlement with creditors for any secured debt.

Selling the assets as a complete F1 entrant would likely represent much more value than spliting up the team but the settlement is not going to be cheap and anyone trying to buy the assets to compete in F1 is probably going to end up paying a large chunk of the existing debt.

[Racer X]

Williams lost Rokit as a sponsor so i wonder can they change their livery up completely?

[Scorpaguy]

Williams lost Rokit as a sponsor so i wonder can they change their livery up completely?

RX...Williams posted a story about a new livery forthcoming. However, the real problem may be finding a car upon which to put it.

[Jolle]

Williams lost Rokit as a sponsor so i wonder can they change their livery up completely?

RX...Williams posted a story about a new livery forthcoming. However, the real problem may be finding a car upon which to put it.

Showing up at the first race in a render. “Oh, we’re doing this for real now?”

[coaster]

Daily mail confirms sale, hopefully its not a shady russian oil tycoon.

[Tattoo-]

Daily mail confirms sale, hopefully its not a shady russian oil tycoon.

My guess is it's a respected Canadian food tycoon...

[adrianjordan]

Daily mail confirms sale, hopefully its not a shady russian oil tycoon.

My guess is it's a respected Canadian food tycoon...

That rules Villeneuve out then

[adrianjordan]

Question: As the season never got underway, can Williams completely change their livery?

[coaster]

Good point, Latifi's business interests should plastered all over the car if Rokit stopped the flow of cash.

[ScrewCaptain27]

Question: As the season never got underway, can Williams completely change their livery?

Yes, Mclaren already did so in 2015.

[Mansell89]

If I had the finances I’d be Seriously interested in buying Williams F1.

With the cost cap moves coming in, the convergence of engine performance, and an opportunity to catch up via Aero, you would have to be quietly optimistic of a run for your money?

It’s a shame Lawrence Stroll jumped ship a little early.

A little “out-there” thought of mine is whether something could be done by the Renault group? Think about their disappointment that McLaren wouldn’t agree a “synergy” partnership with them for mutual benefits like shared parts etc.

Could one of the groups side brands like Infiniti come in and snap up Williams to go for a AlphaTauri/Red Bull model?

Infiniti Williams Racing 2021.
Powered by Renault.
The benefit of two teams looking to make in roads to the top?
Two Renault power teams to keep the engine technology moving forward.


It would have a lot of benefit. But in the COVID financial climate and all the hullabaloo about Renault and a French government loan, it’s probably unlikely.

I enjoyed thinking about it anyway! (I’ve had a beer or two in the sun so apologies)