FEBRUARY 12, 2005

A change at Hewlett Packard

Hewlett-Packard is the primary sponsor of the Williams F1 team and the US technology firm is very keen on its involvement in F1 as it spreads the word about HP computers across the world. However the firm is not without problems and these have recently blown up in the face of chairman and chief executive Carly Fiorina who has resigned after a difference of opinion with the board of directors over the company's strategy. Some members of the board would like to spin off some of the less successful divisions of the firm.

The Williams F1 deal was inherited by HP when it merged with Compaq.

The word in California is that the company understands the value of F1 and Fiorina's departure will make no difference.