Williams handed $32 million windfall by US Court!

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Williams Racing was handed an early Christmas present on Thursday when a US Court ordered former sponsor ROKiT to pay the Formula 1 team over $32 million for reneging on a commercial deal between the two parties.

Williams brought telecommunications company ROKiT onboard ahead of the start of the 2019 F1 season.

Mid-way through that year's campaign, the two partners agreed on an extension of their deal to the end of 2023.

But in May 2020, just a month before the start of F1's Covid-impacted season, Williams suddenly terminated its sponsorship deal with ROKiT.

©Williams

It appeared at the time that Williams had cause to do so as its partner had not fulfilled its contractual obligations and had withheld several instalments ranging from £3.5m to £5m.

In early January of this year, a federal court in Los Angeles, arbitrating the case between Williams and ROKiT, recognized the former's prejudice and awarded the team $35.78 million in compensation.

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But ROKiT pursued the matter further, prolonging litigation between the two parties.

However, on Thursday, the United States District Court for the Central District of California presided by Judge Christina A Synder ruled that ROKiT was once again liable to pay £26,220,094.25 to Williams racing, or approximately $32.2 million.

ROKiT must also pay £1 million to cover Williams Racing's legal costs.

ROKiT remains active in motorsport, having sponsored Foyt in IndyCar last season, while the company is set to continue its support of the Venturi team in Formula E that will next season run under the banner of Maserati in the all-electric series.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.