The Williams Formula 1 team has welcomed a new partner in the shape of Zoox, an autonomous ride-hailing company.
The deal, which will see the Zoox logo carried on the cars of Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto during F1 races in the United States, will come into effect at the Las Vegas Grand Prix next week.
It also marks the first time an F1 outfit has paired with an autonomous vehicle company.
Zoox, an independent subsidiary of Amazon, is currently testing in the home of all three F1 races in America – with Austin and Miami also included alongside Vegas, where the first public riders will be welcomed next year.
Williams team principal James Vowles said: “Williams Racing is excited to be bringing the future of mobility into Formula 1 and delighted to welcome Zoox as the first autonomous vehicle company to become a partner in the sport.
“At first glance this might seem an unlikely partnership – F1 is about pitting the best drivers in the world against each other, while Zoox is pioneering driverless travel.
“But both Williams and Zoox are operating at the leading edge of automotive technology and share core values in how we do business.
“We look forward to helping Zoox reach new audiences, starting in Las Vegas later this month.”
Zoox becomes the latest partner to link up with Williams after two companies founded in Argentina - Globant and Mercado Libre - were attracted by Colapinto's signing, while Gulf has expanded its own partnership.
The team owned by US-based private investment firm Dorilton is aiming to build new links while progressing up the grid, having finished seventh in the constructors' championship last season.
“Partnering with Williams Racing reflects our shared values in the pursuit of performance and precision and will allow Zoox to reach a new audience of Williams and F1 fans who embrace innovation and engineering excellence,” added Carly Wyatt, head of communications and Marketing at Zoox.
“This unique collaboration between a Formula 1 racing team and a robotaxi company presents an opportunity to provide deeper, behind-the-scenes insights into how these two industries are using similar cutting-edge technologies, including the latest advancements in AI, to reshape the future of both motorsports and mobility.”
