Williams sponsor responds to Villeneuve comments

One of Williams’ biggest sponsors is giving the struggling team time to improve.

According to Business Insider Polska, Polish oil company PKN Orlen is paying the British team EUR 10 million in support of Robert Kubica in 2019.

But Williams is currently dead last. PKN Orlen, though, is showing patience.

"We are convinced that involvement in Formula 1 is one of the most effective ways to promote the brand through sports sponsorship regardless of the sports results achieved by Williams’ drivers," the company said.

"For us, the most important fact is that in Williams’ car sits the only Polish driver in the history of Formula 1, Robert Kubica, whom we decided to accompany in his return to F1.

"We engage in all sports activities in the long term, the best example being the cooperation with the Polish Olympic Committee, which has been going on for 10 years.

"Therefore, from the marketing point of view, you cannot judge the cooperation with Williams after just a few grands prix. Sports projects need time to develop," PKN Orlen insisted.

The company also responded to Jacques Villeneuve’s recent claim that Williams is nowadays most interested in profits rather than results on the track.

"Comments referring to the team’s results or the progress of work on the car do not affect the contract between PKN Orlen and Williams," the company said.