Formula One: Williams signs a sponsorship deal with PDVSA
The Williams team has announced to sign a sponsorship deal with the Venezuelan energy company Petroleos de Venezuela S.A (PDVSA). Many of the important men of the team along with the newly signed team driver, Pastor Maldonado have gone to the drivers’ home
land, Venezuelan this week.
A demonstration for the country’s President, Hugo Chavez was held this Friday by the team on the streets of Caracas. This was the first event ever for the people of the country to witness a Formula One car running on their streets. The driver as well as
his team told earlier today that the event was held in order to pay gratitude to the country president for his support and assistance for Maldonado.
The Venezuelan driver has been recently signed by the team for its 2011 campaign. Maldonado is the GP2 Champion of the 2010 season, and will be running in Formula One for the first time this season, alongside the veteran, Rubens Barrichello. Previously this
seat was taken by Nico Hulkenberg, who made his debut in the sport in 2010. Despite a satisfactory performance all through the year and a miraculous pole position near the end of the season, the driver was not able to secure his seat for another year. It is
revealed through various sources earlier as well that Williams has signed the Venezuelan driver in the hope of heavy sponsorship, which it has received today. PDVSA will be a major new sponsor for the team for the upcoming season and is expected to help it
resolve some of its grave financial issues.
However, the team said that besides bringing heavy sponsorship, the young driver also brings along great talent. Although the team expected that the next season’s campaign is going to be a tough one, yet it is sure that some of the issues of last season
will not be seen again this season.
As the demonstration ended yesterday, Maldonado who drove the team’s 2010 car said,
"It was unbelievable to share this experience with my countrymen. The amount of people that turned out to watch was just amazing."
Moreover, the team boss, Frank Williams while announcing the deal stated,
"We are very grateful to PDVSA for having joined our team. They are a substantial partner and can make a meaningful difference to our fighting ability."
Williams further confirmed that PDVSA’s logo will be featured on the team's car as well as on the drivers’ overalls.
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