Santander will offer exclusive fan experiences with access to the paddock and driver events. (Williams imagery)

The Williams Racing Formula 1 (F1) motor racing team has announced a new multi-year partnership with Spanish bank Santander that will begin in 2025.

As part of the deal, Santander – which has up to this point been a partner of the iconic Ferrari team – will offer exclusive fan experiences with access to the paddock and driver events, and Santander’s branding (or that of its Openbank brand) will feature on the Williams FW47 car, driver helmets, and team clothing throughout 2025.

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A primary goal of the deal is to increase Santander’s brand visibility in the US, where there are three F1 races next season, and where the team will showcase Openbank.

To celebrate the announcement, Santander branding will feature on the FW46 car for this week’s end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi, where Carlos Sainz – who has spent the last few seasons at the Ferrari team – will drive for Williams for the first time. The 2024 F1 campaign finished yesterday (December 8).

James Vowles, team principal at Williams Racing, has said: “Williams Racing is proud to add Santander to our growing roster of iconic and innovative partners for 2025 and beyond.

“Joining forces with a global banking giant trusted by tens of millions of people around the world is another significant step in our transformation and we look forward to working with Santander to engage and excite fans in the years ahead.”

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Juan Manuel Cendoya, global head of communications, corporate marketing, and research for Santander and vice chair of Santander Spain, added: “We are delighted to partner with Williams Racing with a tactical agreement that allows us to keep offering exclusive experiences to our customers and continue to support Carlos Sainz in his new stage.

“This is one of the most historic teams with the greatest legacy in F1, and complements our role as the official retail banking partner of the competition with a focus on our main markets.”

Williams also recently announced extended and expanded partnerships with Duracell, Gulf Oil, and Kraken for 2025.

The team finished ninth in the 10-team F1 constructors' standings in the 2024 season.

Santander meanwhile announced a multi-year partnership with Formula 1 itself in September, almost a week after ending its sponsorship deal with Ferrari.

From the 2025 F1 season, the firm will serve as the official F1 retail banking partner.

Santander has a long affiliation with F1, having first sponsored the series back in 2006, sponsoring both individual races and competing teams such as Ferrari and McLaren.