Williams Racing, an iconic name in Formula 1, has unveiled a pioneering partnership with Zoox, a leader in autonomous vehicle technology and a subsidiary of Amazon.
This collaboration represents the first time an autonomous vehicle company has partnered with an F1 team, bridging the worlds of high-speed motorsports and autonomous driving technology.
Under this multi-year agreement, Zoox has become an official regional partner of the Grove-based team, debuting its logo on the Williams cars at the U.S. races, starting with the Las Vegas Grand Prix from November 22-24. This highly anticipated event will spotlight the innovative relationship, showcasing how both organisations are breaking new ground in automotive technology.
The partnership reflects a shared vision between the British racing team and the robotic vehicle developer to advance the future of mobility through innovative solutions. The alliance will focus on exploring synergies and fostering technological collaboration that could reshape the automotive landscape, combining F1’s engineering expertise with Zoox’s advancements in autonomous driving.
James Vowles, Team Principal of Williams Racing, expressed his excitement and 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.”
Carly Wyatt, Head of Communications & Marketing, Zoox, added, “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. 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.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Zoox plans to activate its partnership in Las Vegas, Austin, and Miami—three cities where its autonomous technology is already being tested. Starting in 2025, Zoox’s purpose-built robotaxis will welcome their first public riders in Las Vegas, offering a glimpse of a future in which safe, efficient, and autonomous transport becomes a reality.
Zoox’s dedication to reinventing personal transportation is evident in its fully autonomous, all-electric robotaxi, designed specifically for driverless operation. Equipped with advanced sensors and artificial intelligence, these vehicles are engineered to navigate complex city environments autonomously, representing a new era of shared, on-demand urban mobility.
The collaboration also comes at a dynamic time for Williams Racing. The nine-time Constructors’ Champion has been building its commercial portfolio, securing partnerships with prominent brands like Gulf Oil, Kraken, Mercado Libre, Globant, Keeper Security, Coachbuilt Whisky, SunGod and Komatsu.
With three rounds remaining in the 2024 season, Williams Racing currently sits in ninth place in the Constructors’ Championship. The team is focused on strong performances in the final races to climb in the standings and finish the season on a high note.
This landmark partnership underscores the increasing convergence of traditional motorsport and autonomous vehicle technology, setting a precedent for future collaborations in both fields. As the iconic Formula 1 team and Zoox team up, they are not only expanding the boundaries of their industries but also opening doors to revolutionary advancements in mobility for a global audience.