The behind-the-scenes story
“We’ll be watching you in our rearview mirrors now that you simply’re Williams’ sponsor.” With this observe despatched to Martini, Ferrari’s administration expressed their disappointment over the failed negotiations between Ferrari and Martini, which collapsed as a consequence of Williams’ intervention in securing the sponsorship for themselves. Claire Williams revealed this behind-the-scenes story.
“Ferrari was livid,” stated Claire Williams—the daughter of Sir Frank and, on the time, group principal of the British group (this was in 2014)—as a visitor on the What it Takes podcast. “I used to be very proud to have received that negotiation as a result of Martini was very near signing with Ferrari, which had had a robust 2013 season (third within the Constructors’ Championship, simply six factors behind second-placed Mercedes, with two wins). I imagine the deciding issue was the area we had been keen to supply Martini on the livery. Ferrari’s livery is crimson, and there’s no room for compromise on that, whereas we might make the whole automotive accessible. I informed Martini, ‘Why not deliver again the long-lasting Martini stripes throughout our whole automotive?’ And so we secured the sponsorship—I feel our automotive was one of the crucial lovely on the grid.” – she identified.
The efficiency of the Mercedes hybrid energy unit additionally allowed Williams to outscore Ferrari within the Constructors’ Championship, successfully reversing Ferrari’s observe to Martini. Williams completed the 2014 season with 320 factors, behind solely Mercedes and Purple Bull, whereas Ferrari positioned fourth, over 100 factors behind. “That 12 months, a small a part of me was really comfortable not solely to have taken a sponsor from Ferrari but additionally to have overwhelmed them on the observe,” Claire Williams concluded.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
