Yahoo Autos The Iconic Martini Livery Is Leaving F1
In 2014, Williams signed a title sponsorship agreement with Martini to create Williams Martini Racing. It also saw the return of the amazing, iconic, and sometimes over-celebrated Martini livery to Formula One after a prolonged absence.
That livery will disappear from the sport at the end of the 2018 season when Martini's agreement ends. Bacardi, which owns Martini, has decided to re-align its sponsorship dollars, which means that the great paint job has to go bye bye.
The change in the team's financials could explain the increased reliance on pay drivers this season, with Sergey Sirotkin joining Canadian Lance Stroll in the driver lineup. Both bring substantial funding, which could be how Williams is future-proofing the team with the impending loss of Martini.
It's always crappy when a sponsor leaves motorsport, particularly one with such a storied history in racing and a livery that can also be considered a fashion accessory.
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