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#88827
From F1 Live:

F1 might have lost the former championship-winning team Williams if not for the latest moves to cut costs.

Adam Parr, chief executive of the Grove-based team that has won nine constructors' and seven drivers' titles, told the Financial Times that Williams' ability to borrow money has reached a limit.

"I think it would be fair to say we have reached a point where further borrowing is not acceptable to the board of this company," he said.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone revealed to the same publication that he has advanced the independent team more than 15 million euros.

The bonus, comprised of backdating increased commercial income to 2004-2007, is available to teams willing to sign the new Concorde Agreement now.

"It's a prepayment (for Williams)," Ecclestone explained. "They are entitled to some back-payments only due for payment when they sign the Concorde. We said to them we will pay you now."

Team boss, founder and co-owner Sir Frank Williams confirmed that his outfit is under "financial pressure" and so the sport's reaction to the global financial crisis has been crucial.

Since 2006 the British team has been without the support of a carmaker, and the new FW31 revealed last week in Portugal featured only a handful of prominent sponsors, all but confirming the departure of the embattled Icelandic investor Baugur.

"We need to make a profit every year," said Williams. "We've lost in the last two years, or three, I think, but we have the reserves and resource to manage that."

© CAPSIS International
Source: GMM


We've always talked about Williams' finances being in a pretty weak state, but this news is still pretty shocking. It would be tragic to lose a team as great as Williams. :crying:
#88839
This is not good news. If they don't make a significant step forward this year, the team will slowly die. I don't know what I'd do without Williams being around, I can't really see myself becoming a McLaren fan and although BMW is my favourite car manufacturer, I just can't see myself supporting them either. Perhaps I should just hope somebody revives Lotus or Jordan or that Bourdais is sticking round for a good while yet. :(

Max, put your whip down unless you REALLY have a scheme to whip down the costs dramatically. Bernie, bugger off and stop draining F1 of what little money it has left.
#88899
RBS admits F1 backing under review
Williams team might lose a major sponsor
25/01/09 14:32


Economic situation putting sponsorship activities
under review in many markets

Off the back of a disastrous chapter for the British company, the Royal Bank of Scotland has admitted its sponsorship of the Formula One team Williams is under review.

Williams' RBS deal still has two years to run, but after losing nearly 70 per cent of its share price, the bank admitted this week that it is set to record the biggest ever corporate loss in British history.

"We recognise the need to ensure that our sponsorship activity reflects the process of restructuring that the bank has under way," a spokesman is quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.



The bank would not be Williams' only sponsorship loss, after recently unveiling its 2009 car without the usual backing of Baugur firms, as well as 2009 sponsors Lenovo and Petrobras.

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 3258.shtml
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Not good news.
#88905
RBS' thoughts are not really a surprise. They are probably Williams last major, high-profile sponsor. Sir Frank Williams will have his work cut trying to induce decent-sized companies to invest in his team in the current economic climate. :(
Last edited by McLaren Fan on 25 Jan 09, 17:12, edited 1 time in total.
#88916
RBS' thoughts are really a surprise. They are probably Williams last major, high-profile sponsor. Sir Frank Williams will have his work cut trying to induce decent-sized companies to invest in his team in the current economic climate. :(


Well they'll get a compensation payout if RBS break the contract, but it isn't good news. Certainly a lack of North American market seriously damages a team with an image like Williams to attract more money.

Doesn't the RBS have a huge envolvement in the CVC too?
#88925
I just hope those rumours about Saudia are true. :(

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