DECEMBER 2, 1996

Castrol signs with Williams

FRANK WILLIAMS has signed Castrol to replace his fuel sponsor Elf. The French petrol company has pulled out of F1 and Williams has been looking for a company to top up its budget in 1997 and beyond.

Castrol is part of the Burmah-Castrol empire and the brand has been involved in Grand Prix racing since the 1920s when it supplied factory teams such as Alfa Romeo, Mercedes and Delage. The link with Alfa continued in the 1950s, and the company backed the very first World Champion Giuseppe Farina.

During the 1980s Castrol was heavily involved in sportscar racing with Silk Cut Jaguar and Team Sauber Mercedes, but in mid-1992 it became the title sponsor of Team Lotus. Castrol has also been heavily involved in the World Rally Championship and in Indycar racing - both in association with Toyota factory teams.

This year Castrol was involved in a small deal with Arrows after Tom Walkinshaw took over the team in the mid-season.

Print News Story