Formula 1: ROKiT to serve as title sponsor for Williams Racing

ROKiT is set to become the new title sponsor for Williams Racing beginning in the 2019 Formula 1 season following Martini’s departure from the team.

From the 2014 Formula 1 season through the 2018 season, Martini served as the title sponsor for Williams Racing. But their deal with the Grove-based team expired after the 2018 season, and they revealed even before the season began that they would not renew it.

Now it has been confirmed that ROKiT, a global telecommunications company, is set to serve as Williams’ title sponsor beginning in the 2019 season.

Williams announced this news on their Twitter page with a short video.

Here is what Claire Williams, the deputy team principal of Williams, had to say about ROKiT becoming the team’s title sponsor, according to RACER.

"“We are delighted to welcome ROKiT to our team as our title partner for the 2019 season and beyond. We share many similar values and aspirations with ROKiT; primarily putting engineering and innovation at the core of everything we do in our pursuit to be the best — the perfect platform from which to start a partnership.“ROKiT is on an exciting journey in their world of telecommunications, as we are at Williams as we build the team for a successful future. Taking that path together will make us both stronger in our endeavors and so I can’t wait to get started.”"

Here is what Jonathan Kendrick, the chairman of ROK Brands, had to say about the matter, according to RACER.

"“With ROKiT launching in 2019 we wanted a global platform that would help us tell our story of innovation. Williams Racing is the perfect partner. With them we can bring F1 to audiences in new and pioneering ways. Through our glasses-free 3D technology and our Wi-Fi capabilities, we aim to make Formula 1 even more accessible for all.“Williams Racing exists purely to race in the top echelon of motor racing and we see the exciting partnership of ROKiT Williams Racing as the beginning of an ambitious and exciting road back to the podium.”"

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Robert Kubica, who has not competed in Formula 1 since the 2010 season, and rookie George Russell are set to drive for the team in the 2019 season after Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin drove for the team in the 2018 season.

Williams are coming off of a season that resulted in them finishing in 10th (last) place in the constructor standings after they scored only seven points on three top 10 finishes. In team history, they had never previously finished in lower than ninth in the standings. Their top finish of any race throughout the 21-race 2018 season was eighth, which was tied for their lowest top finish in any season since the 2011 season when their top finishes of the season were ninth place finishes.

The 2019 Formula 1 season is scheduled to get underway in just over one month with the Australian Grand Prix from Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne, Australia. Will ROKiT Williams Racing bounce back from arguably their worst season in team history?