Williams unveiled their 2021 challenger on Friday, showing off the car’s noticeably different livery despite it maintaining a similar colour scheme to its predecessor.
The FW43B has several areas on the car without any sponsorship branding, but the Grove-based team has said it will be announcing a few new deals in due course.
READ: Vettel & Stroll Give Aston Martin’s AMR21 Its First Shakedown
“We are very much focusing on developing the brand, positioning the brand this year,” Williams CEO Jost Capito said during a virtual press conference attended by Formula1News.co.uk on Friday.
“We’ve got great partners this year and there are some to come very soon, so you can expect some announcements.
“The new ownership and the strategy we are going forward [with] is already attracting partners that are in contact with us and negotiations going forward.
“It’s too early to give you something but there will be some announcements soon,” he reiterated.
Capito’s remarks quickly prompted speculation that Rich Energy, formerly the title sponsor of the Haas F1 Team, could be set to return to the sport with Williams.
However, Williams previously told Formula1News.co.uk that they “have had no communication with Rich Energy at all and are not in any discussion regarding a potential sponsorship.”
The controversial energy drink brand in January claimed it will be returning to Formula One this upcoming season, and a few weeks ago the company’s founder William Storey said an “ally” had purchased a team which they will partner with.
“A strategic ally of Rich Energy has agreed to purchase a majority stake in an existing team,” Storey said in a video announcement last month.
“We did explore with the new regulations actually entering our own team for 2022, which would be Rich Energy Formula 1 Team.
“But a friend of ours has agreed a deal for a majority stake in a Formula 1 team, and we will become a partner of that team for 2021. Once that acquisition is announced, we will become the title sponsor for 2022.
“I’m really looking forward to competing with our competitors on-track, I’ll be at the first race, March 28, in Bahrain,” he added.
READ: ‘No Promises Have Been Made At All’: George Russell On 2022 Mercedes Drive