While the new livery and title sponsor at Williams left many somewhat underwhelmed, and rushing to Google to discover more about ROKiT, Claire Williams was keen to defend the look, insisting that her father, team founder Frank Williams, loves it.

"Frank loved it," she responded when asked what her father, a man known for his traditional, conservative and wholly British approach to such matters, thought of the livery, "you might be surprised to hear that, but he did.

"I was a little nervous going and presenting it to him as Frank is very traditional and protective of that navy blue," she admitted. "But he was understanding of the arguments behind it, that this is telling the world a very clear story and delivering a very clear message in my mind as to where we are.

"He is fully behind it, and I'm still here," she joked, "if he hadn't liked it, he probably would have fired me!

"There's a bit of a story behind this livery," she subsequently revealed. "We were made well aware in advance that Martini were going to be ending their relationship with us, and it gave us a great opportunity to think very hard about how we wanted to position Williams moving forward, certainly as this year is such an important year for us, and the years ahead.

"We spent a lot of time on this livery. It's all done in-house. We have a very good creative team at Williams," she added. "From my perspective, I wanted a livery that told a story and told a story about where Williams is and the future that we believe it has.

"A lot of people are aware that Williams' traditional colours are navy blue and white, but I wanted to move away from that and show the world that we're a fresh, revitalised brand. Just sticking and reverting to our traditional navy and white didn't really tell that story. A Formula One car at the end of the day is your shop window to the world and I wanted to tell a great story and come out with a really vibrant livery. I feel that does that."

All that aside, liveries, even the best looking of them, don't win championships, and while some still have their doubts about the look that appears to have received Sir Frank's seal of approval, all F1 fans will be hoping that the Grove outfit can put the misery of 2018 behind it and start challenging for points and even podiums again this year.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by GarH, 12/02/2019 11:29

"F1 sponsors go from one extreme to the other. We've got a mystery pop man with hardly any background, then Jonathan M Kendrick who's been a director at least 241 times. To quote Company Check

"... Mr Jonathan Mark Kendrick holds 35 appointments at 35 active companies, has resigned from 166 companies and held 40 appointments at 40 dissolved companies. Their longest current appointment spans 8 years, 5 months and 23 days at ROK GLOBAL PLC

The combined cash at bank value for all businesses where JONATHAN holds a current appointment equals £234.2k, a combined total current assets value of £4.3m with a total current liabilities of £6.1m and a total current net worth of £-49.1m. Roles associated with Mr Jonathan Mark Kendrick within the recorded businesses include: Director, Company Secretary..."

I know nothing of accounts, but this stands out "...current net worth of £-49.1m..."

Might explain why he looked like he was dressed by Man at Oxfam.

"

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2. Posted by @R1Racing71, 12/02/2019 11:21

"Yes, I too was one of those people who instantly Googled ROKit telecommunications. Those 3D glassless handsets do look too good to be true!
That said there does seem to be more credibility behind this company than any speculative Energy Drinks outfit, I presume Williams have been paid in advance I would hope?
Although I do seem to remember that Sir Franks livery of choice would be British Racing Green old boy ;)
"

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3. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 12/02/2019 9:49

"I guess the scruffy looking Herbert in jeans is the guy with the cheque book."

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4. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 12/02/2019 9:27

"Have also read that "ROKIT" are sponsoring Nicholas Hamilton in his return to the BTCC."

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5. Posted by Ro, 12/02/2019 9:20

"Sorry to be asking, but who is that scruffy looking Herbert in jeans, t-shirt, vest and jacket?"

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"Frank loves it!" says Claire Williams of new livery

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