Williams has been chasing after Petrobras for quite a while, not least in the era when Rubens Barrichello was driving for the team. However there was always a stumbling block. Petrobras wanted to be involved if the team used its products. Unfortunately, in recent years the Williams engine deal required the team to use Total products. It is not unknown for teams to advertise one oil and use another but Petrobras has never been into that subterfuge and in the past is bleived to have used specialised oils that were developed on its behalf by laboratories in the UK. The word is that the Mercedes engine men recommend the use of Petronas in their engines. This does not mean it is impossible for Williams to use Petrobras products but these would need to be validated by Mercedes. The fuel can, of course, influence the levels of performance and one would assume that the company that has worked with the engine maker from the start of a programme would probably come up with a better result than a company that is guessing at what is needed. However this need not be the case.

The word is that the team will also have money from Banco do Brasil, which will mean that rumours of Felipe Nasr becoming the third driver are probably true.

The team will reveal Martini sponsorship soon.