Mook Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Now's your (possible) chance. I know they've not been top of the tree for a long, long time, but I will, given the chance, buy some. BBC Sport - F1 - Williams Formula 1 team consider stock market flotation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I'm not very up on sporting shares but given the volitile nature of the sport, plus the constant fiddling with the rules so that the teams are more evenly competitive I'm not sure I'd enjoy the ride on a punt on these. I wonder whether they dish out any shareholder benefits though (i.e. BA give a 10% discount to shareholders over a certain threshold). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted January 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I think you're missing the opportunity - Williams are involved in loads of automotive projects, just like McLaren are (e.g. ECUs, control systems etc.). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Are they? I had no idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I found that interesting for reasons beyond the potential flotation. I read it, read a bit more, noticed that their new driver (whom I have never heard of before) was Venezuelan and because of that I discovered that Johnny Cecotto was Venezuelan too. It was the latter that surprised me. I never knew he was Venezuelan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Lotus spread there wings and faltered, and were a full on car engineering and design centre. From the posted link it's the F1 team, they may has access to Williams holdings (who build, make, design and innovate) but to me it looks like a really poor call. Why would anyone been silly enough to buy shares in a firm that can't cover it's own racing costs, let alone offer the basic dividend payments and hopeful share growth that all investors demand. I'd view buying shares in Williams F1 as one way sponsorship, no reward and little prospect of ever getting anything back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted January 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 It's not currently been published which business the shares will be offered in, but yes, you're right that only buying shares in Williams F1 wouldn't necessarily be a sharp move. But they make a profit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I'm in two minds about this as to whether it's a short term view to raising funds, or a long term view to protect the company/team from becoming like Sauber. Where a large manufacturer comes in, buys the team builds it up, then sells it when it gets bored leaving the workforce on tenter hooks about its long term stability. I get the feeling that it could be the latter over the former. Williams are now venturing into hybrid technology, using a flywheel system which is a better way of storing energy than batteries. Originally designed for its F1 team, it is now looking to be used on the mass market in buses, cars, trains, tractors, diggers, lorries and already have a young but very successful partnership with Porsche for this device in its racing and road cars. They have also just opened the Qatar Technology Centre, where R&D money has been put by Shell, ŁˇQatar Petroleum, Exxon Mobil to develop hybrid technologies further, along with developing simulators in the same way that F1 has for road cars to help testing and R&D. Also the fact that VW/Porsche has a large investment by Qatar Holding LLC means that Williams is trying to get into bed with the right people to a) get a works engine deal in F1 and b) following the money by establishing themselves in the right areas like Mclaren has recently. They currently design, build, maintain and develop the FIA F2 cars, and have in the past ran rally cars, BTCC and Le Mans racers so they can diversify when required to do so on the track to, even though over the past 5 years they have been a disappointment at times. I'd certainly consider buying some shares, not only for that fact that I like Williams as a team, but for the potential they have with the hybrid technology if it continues to grow as it has over the past 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 And they make air fresheners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 All flotations of this type are for fund raising. There will be little long term thought about becoming another Sauber in my view. If I was looking to invest they wouldn't be on my shortlist, but if I was a fan then I guess it's a way of affiliating yourself with a company whilst hopefully watching your money grow too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 Confirmed! Williams announced its plans to proceed with the previously reported IPO on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, floating a little over a quarter of the shares while ensuring that Frank Williams remains controlling shareholder and team principal for years to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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