The WilliamsF1 Team today announced a major new sponsorship association with Tata, one of India's most successful multi-disciplinary commercial conglomerates. The partnership will see the Tata brand displayed on the FW28's nose, the drivers' helmets and overalls, as well as on various locations across the team environment.

An industrial giant, the Tata Group comprises a network of 92 operating companies in seven business sectors, including information systems and communications, engineering, materials, services, energy, consumer products and chemicals, and is one of the driving forces behind the re-emergence of the Asian Tiger phenomenon.

Founded in the last quarter of the 19th century, Tata is today one of India's largest businesses with revenues equivalent to almost 2.6% of the nation's gross domestic product. The Group employs in excess of 220,000 people and exports products and services to over 140 countries worldwide. With a product portfolio ranging from motor cars to tea and from internet services to luxury hotels, the Tata Group can justifiably claim to touch the lives of every one of India's billion inhabitants on a daily basis.

Inherent in the fabric of the Tata Group's guiding principles, expounded since its inception, are the core values of integrity, understanding, excellence, unity and responsibility. Born at the time of de-colonisation, the Group aligned business opportunities with nation building and it is this same ethos that is ingrained in the Group's decision-making process today.

The alliance with the WilliamsF1 Team will provide a unique platform for Tata to communicate its blanket of competencies to a global audience. In particular, Tata will use the partnership to illustrate its technical proficiencies through a range of initiatives, including software development and CAD design. The union of Williams, a niche British engineering company and the industrial muscle of Tata, promises to deliver a formidable range of benefits to both parties.

Following the announcement, Mr. Romit Chaterji, the Tata Group's Sr. Vice President, Corporate Affairs, commented, "We are delighted to be partnering a world-class team like WilliamsF1. Their successful track record over the years in Formula One and their passion for the sport is what sets them apart. In addition, we are happy to support Narain's F1 racing career for another year. Moreover, this association extends beyond mere sponsorship with WilliamsF1 as they will be exploring opportunities to source high technology products and services from the Tata Group."

Frank Williams, Team Principal of the WilliamsF1 Team, confirmed, "To welcome a company of Tata's calibre to the Williams sponsor community is enormously satisfying. Formula One will not only deliver sound business to business opportunities to the Group, but the team will also benefit from their considerable expertise in
various technical fields."