Williams jumps at RBS extension.

A reflection no doubt of the team's improved form this season, AT&T Williams has revealed that it has taken up the opportunity to renew and extend its established partnership with the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The partnership, which began ahead of the 2005 campaign, will continue for at least another three years after both sides decided that it had been a successful tie-up, despite the disastrous campaign endured by Nico Rosberg and Mark Webber last season.

"AT&T Williams are very privileged that our partnership with a brand of RBS' stature has been extended," team owner Sir Frank Williams commented, ""It is a fruitful relationship that has developed and strengthened over the last two seasons and I look forward to it continuing successfully."

Despite admitting at the time the original deal was signed that there was 'no silver bullet to deliver [international] recognition, RBS group director Howard Moody admits that he and the company have been impressed with the power of Formula One as a marketing medium, prompting the world's sixth largest bank to renew its deal.

"We are delighted to extend our successful partnership with the AT&T Williams team for a further three years, and look forward to increased success both on and off the track," Moody said in the official statement confirming the extension.

Confirmation of RBS' continued support further boosts a strong start to Williams' season on- and off-track, with the Toyota-powered FW29 proving a strong contender for points in a competitive midfield group and a string of new and renewed sponsorship agreements - including the arrival of Air Asia - having already been revealed.

Williams also looks set to continue its links with royalty, following RBS' announcement that Zara Phillips will join the company's 'global ambassador' programme. The daughter of the Princess Royal, Phillips is one of Britain's leading showjumpers, having won last season's world title, and could follow cousin HRH Prince William's lead by appearing with the F1 team at grands prix this year. Phillips counts the wife of Sir Jackie Stewart among her godparents.