F1: Absolute Car Feel

Chapter 321 Things are different now
Mercedes headquarters and Williams headquarters are not far apart; it doesn't take long to get there.

Wu Shi was essentially revisiting a familiar place; the things were still so familiar, but the people were different.

Williams' competitiveness declined further in 2017, and by 2018 he had no podium finishes all year.

This is quite normal – after all, the three major teams have taken all the podium spots.

However, their total score for the whole year was only 13 points, ranking last, and their year-end bonus plummeted.

As funding problems began to emerge, the team also lost key personnel.

This forced 72-year-old Patrick Hyde to return to Grove as a "technical advisor" to lead the team in continuing research and development.

"Sir! It's been a long time." Wu Shi greeted him warmly.

Jazz patted Wu Shi on the shoulder as he squatted down and said, "Now he's a three-time world champion, a legend in F1."

"Haha, but I will always remember that I won my first world championship in Williams," Wu Shi replied with a smile.

“Yeah, we’ll always remember you, our best driver of the new millennium,” Jazz replied.

Wu Shi pushed the wheelchair and came to the reception room with Claire.

He was very familiar with the place, as if he were back home, so he went in and found a place to sit down.

Today's meeting wasn't a formal one; there were only four people in the room.

“Our team is in a difficult situation right now,” Jazz said.

Wu Shi nodded; everyone in the hunting grounds knew about this.

During the opening race, Bottas damaged his blade in practice, and Williams didn't have a spare part, so Bottas just had to leave the track.

"It is foreseeable that the difficulties will continue for a long time." The Jazz paused.

Claire spoke up at this point:

“We need a strong sponsor right now. I wonder if we can talk about that?”

Wu Shi remained silent, but Xi De spoke first:

"Currently, our capital is not abundant, and if we want sponsorship from WS's brands, it would be a drop in the ocean."

Claire nodded and said, "We're planning a trip to China."

Sid looked at Wu Shi.

Wu Shi said, "Are you looking for bigger sponsors? Didn't you just reach a title sponsorship agreement with ROKIT this year?"

“As you can see, we need more sponsors. Perhaps you could give us some suggestions?” Claire said.

"This is a difficult task."

Wu Shi sighed. Williams' current situation is a vicious cycle.

Because of poor grades, there were no major sponsorships; because of the lack of major sponsorships, there was no money for research and development; and without money for research and development, the grades could not improve.

Wu Shi roughly understood what Claire meant; Williams hoped to leverage Wu Shi's influence to attract Chinese capital.

However, times have changed, and Wu Shi expressed his views:

"Currently, my country is promoting the electrification of consumer vehicles. This is policy-driven, and car companies will actively respond."

Claire nodded. She understood what he meant. He was saying that Chinese automakers were no longer as interested in F1 as before, and that basically no automakers would sponsor Williams.

However, she did not agree with this view, after all, F1 represents the pinnacle of circuit racing, and its brand influence remains.

She did not interrupt Wu Shi for this.

"Secondly, Geely is the most interested in overseas markets, followed by Chery. These two companies are currently pursuing different strategies and have no overlap with F1."

Wu Shi continued, saying that Geely's investment in Daimler has already completed its strategic plan.

"Finally, over the years I've also discovered that our business philosophy, methods, and environment are different from yours, which makes F1 sponsorship seem like a double-edged sword." If he remembers correctly, the only domestic sponsors still active in F1 are Weichai Power, Lenovo, Lailai International, and the sponsorship he carries.

The collaboration between Weichai Power and Ferrari here is mutually beneficial.

Weichai aims for global brand influence and also wants Ferrari's technology, while Ferrari wants to use Weichai to open up the domestic market.

Lenovo needs no introduction; does it even need an explanation how it earned the nickname "the conscience of the American Empire"?

This brand has a huge overseas market and needs international recognition far more than most domestic companies, so cooperating with F1 is also profitable.

Lailai only reached a sponsorship agreement with Red Bull in the past year.

Looking back at these sponsors, it becomes clear that the sponsorships by domestic companies are very straightforward: they aim for high brand exposure overseas.

However, many domestic companies operate within the domestic market and have no need for global exposure.

Furthermore, even if domestic companies wanted to sponsor or collaborate with Williams, they wouldn't be interested in him.

Sadly, before the 10s, Williams was a highly sought-after sponsor and partner.

Unfortunately, even the most historically significant teams will eventually become abandoned teams as their performance declines.

Claire smoothed her sideburns and said:

"We are willing to sell shares and engage in technology sponsorship cooperation, hoping to achieve a higher level of cooperation."

Wu Shi was not surprised to hear this, and he looked at the knight next to Claire.

Jazz seemed very tired.

Reaching this point indicates that the Williams family is finally willing to relinquish some control.

This would have been impossible to imagine back in 2016; it just goes to show that circumstances are beyond our control.

“Okay,” Wu Shi replied.

“We hope to achieve a satisfactory cooperation,” Claire said with a smile.

"I see."

Wu Shi nodded.

The entire exchange took only two or three sentences, and in the end, Claire directly revealed the Williams family's bargaining chips and expectations.

Clearly, the friendship between the two parties still exists.

Wu Shi did not go inside the factory for a visit; his status clearly made it inappropriate for him to go in, otherwise Ferrari and Red Bull might have reported Mercedes and Williams for engaging in private deals.

On the way back, Sid said:

"The Williams family still wants to have control of the team, but everyone is waiting for them to be unable to hold on any longer so they can take over the team entirely."

Sid is very familiar with the F1 commercial market and is afraid that Wu Shi will be entangled by the Williams family.

“I know, that’s why they’re looking for me.”

Wu Shi nodded. The so-called deeper cooperation was ultimately just cooperation, and the other capital was simply unwilling to continue playing along with Williams in this way.

After all, a third-rate racing team has neither the skills nor the exposure, so this kind of cooperation is a loss for them.

“Even if you can mobilize funds to take over, I think it’s best to wait. Control of the team is very important; otherwise, there’s no point in sponsoring Williams.”

Sid still reminded him.

"Well then, I'll trouble you to make the trip, but I don't have high hopes for it."

Wu Shi expressed his thoughts, which he had already clearly analyzed: the current investment returns in F1 in China are too low, and no one would be willing to invest in it.

Even if it involves technology cooperation and sponsorship, he believes that domestic companies may prefer a direct acquisition.

(End of this chapter)