F1: Williams team awarded $33.25m in final Rokit Judgement, Rokit countersues (Update)

–by Mark Cipolloni–

ROKiT has filed a $149 million counter lawsuit against the Williams team.

The lawsuit was initiated on behalf of parent companies ROKiT World Inc and ROKiT World Limited by Larry Klayman, a well-known attorney who has previously been involved in several high-profile court cases, including some against former US Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

The lawsuit, which alleges the team made “fraudulent statements” when signing the deal with wireless company ROKiT, has been dismissed as “false” by Williams.

ROKiT claims Williams promised it would have a competitive car in 2019, even though it knew it didn’t have sufficient funds to back that claim.

In addition to the team itself, the lawsuit names former team principal Claire Williams as defendants, as well as former team leaders Mike O’Driscoll – who served as CEO – and Doug Lafferty – who was chief financial officer.

All three left the team in autumn 2020 as a result of the Dorilton takeover.

In the case of Williams Grand Prix v. Rokit Marketing and Rok Marketing for Rokit not paying Williams for sponsor monies owed a final arbitration amount has been negotiated.

Back in January The Williams Formula 1 team won $35.7 million in arbitration after former title sponsor ROKiT backed out of two multi-year sponsorship deals.

In a final judgement handed down on Thursday by judge Christina A. Snyder in the US District court of Central California, Rokit must pay Williams GP a total of $33.250 million.