Mercedes stole Rokit sponsor from Williams

Did Toto Wolff put another nail in the Williams team coffin?

Racing has always been a dog-eat-dog world with one team stealing another team's sponsor on a regular basis.

Racefans.net reports that former Williams title sponsor Rokit, has been stolen by its engine supplier Mercedes.

Rokit joined Williams as its new title sponsor at the beginning of last year. Despite a difficult season for the team, which finished last in the constructors’ championship for the second year in a row, Rokit extended its sponsorship deal in July, committing to Williams until 2023.

However at the end of last month Williams announced the deal had been terminated. At the same time Formula 1’s third-oldest team also revealed the beginning of a formal sale process in an effort to secure new investment. The group lost over $15 million last year.

Williams is understood by Racefans.net to be considering legal action against Rokit over the cancellation of the contract, believed to be worth $25m per year.

A Williams source told RaceFans: “We’re absolutely shocked that a team with whom we have a long-standing relationship (Mercedes) has signed Rokit, particularly as it is well known what happened."