11/04/2016
NEWS STORY
With an eye on 2020 when a new agreement must be reached with the sport's Commercial Rights Holder, Williams is looking for a bigger slice of the cake.
Last week it was revealed that despite finishing third in the 2015 standings, Williams will receive $87m prize money in total, which comprises a $10m bonus on top of its basic $77m.
This compares to McLaren which will pocket $82m, comprising $50m from the main pot and a further $32m as a Constructors' Championship bonus, while Red Bull, which finished fourth will receive $171m in total, courtesy of $70m from the pot, $39m Constructors' Championship bonus and a further $35m bonus.
Then there's Ferrari, which receives $87m from the main pot along with an additional $35m courtesy of a Constructors' Championship bonus, which is paid to just four teams (not Williams) following separately agreed deals, and a further $70m as a 'historic bonus'. In total, the Italian team will receive $192m.
"We have to bide our time," said Claire Williams today, according to Reuters. "I imagine we will all start negotiating new terms well ahead of 2020 and I hope that a revision and a re-distribution is something that's tabled as part of those discussions."
Her comments follow Williams latest financial reports which reveal the company returned to profit last year.
Asked if she believes her call, which follows a move which has seen Sauber and Force India call on the European Commission to investigate F1 and in particular the way in which the money is shared out, will be heeded, Williams said: "I very much hope so because I am a firm believer that sports should have equitable platforms to be successful.
"I wouldn't have an issue if Ferrari got a heritage payment," she added, "but not as great as it is."