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Williams has declined to comment on speculation that its sponsorship with Venezuelan oil company PDVSA could be under threat because of an investigation by the country's congress into the sponsorship deal.

The Grove-based team had secured a lucrative long-term deal with PDVSA, which AUTOSPORT understands will be worth between £21 million and £29.4 million next season depending on the level of logo exposure the company has on the car.

However, the team has now been asked by Venezuelan congressman Carlos Ramos to provide details of the deal - because of questions being asked about the terms of the contract in parliament.

In a letter to the team that has been leaked to the media, Ramos says that an investigation is underway about whether the deal should have gone ahead.

He wrote: "Further to Williams F1 sponsorship contract with PDVSA, I would like to ask for a copy of the original contract between Williams F1 and PDVSA, for the purpose of an ongoing investigation in this respect that a commission of the Venezuelan Congress is undertaking.

"As you may be aware, according to Venezuela's legislation, expenditure of the sort has to be approved by Congress. You may also be aware that our Congress has granted no approval to the sponsorship contract between Williams F1 and PDVSA."

Ramos has asked for details of the amount that Williams has received from PDVSA, as well as evidence of those payments.

When asked for a response to the letter by AUTOSPORT, Williams declined to comment.