---
title: "Williams Reveals New-for-2019 F1 Car, Replacement for Outgoing Title Sponsor Martini"
description: "With talented drivers on board and a new design, is a Williams resurgence in the cards?"
date: "2019-02-11"
modified: "2019-02-11"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/26446/williams-reveals-new-for-2019-f1-car-replacement-for-outgoing-title-sponsor-martini"
categories:
  - "F1"
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
tags:
  - "Formula 1"
  - "George Russell"
  - "Martini"
  - "Mercedes-AMG"
  - "Robert Kubica"
  - "Williams F1"
---

# Williams Reveals New-for-2019 F1 Car, Replacement for Outgoing Title Sponsor Martini

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/02/williams-hero-e1549908978513.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Williams Racing announced Tuesday that it has taken on Rokit as a title sponsor and altered the livery for its FW42 to reflect a new era in the team's history.

From 2014 through 2018, Williams' title sponsor was vermouth manufacturer Martini, though the company chose to [discontinue its title sponsorship](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18840/martini-is-leaving-formula-1-after-2018>) after a competitive decline since 2014. Martini is replaced by smartphone manufacturer Rokit, which seeks to combine telecom services with healthcare and insurance.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1094976935703257090

In ridding itself of Martini and the associated livery, Williams' livery redesign could signal a new era of competitiveness for the historic team, the third-oldest in F1. Buoyed by a dominant Mercedes engine, a low-drag aero philosophy, and a best-in-field set of gear ratios, the British team enjoyed a status as third-best in 2014 but has since slipped back down the order, finishing dead last in the 2018 World Constructors' Championship.

![DzI4dGfW0AMOVVi.jpg:large](<https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DzI4dGfW0AMOVVi.jpg:large>)
**Rokit Williams Racing**

Aerodynamic problems and drivers of questionable quality were to blame for the team's difficult 2018, though Chief Technical Officer Paddy Lowe told *Speedweek* in December that the team has already completed its technical "turnaround."

If Lowe's claim is correct, Williams will not only have a more competitive car but also drivers viewed in higher regard than the outgoing Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin. 2018 FIA Formula 2 champion [George Russell](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/24192/formula-1-williams-signs-f2-champ-and-mercedes-amg-protege-george-russell-for-2019>) will race his rookie season with Williams alongside fan favorite and Grand Prix winner [Robert Kubica](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/25054/robert-kubica-will-race-for-williams-f1-full-time-in-2019-report>), whose Ferrari-bound F1 career was sidelined after a serious rally crash in early 2011 nearly severed part of his right arm.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1094989862833254402

The Williams FW42 will be first seen on-track on Monday, Feb. 18, when winter testing begins in Barcelona.

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)