Filed under: Motorsports
Vodafone switch F1 sponsorship from Ferrari to McLaren
Mobile phone company Vodafone announced today that it will take on a long-term role of title sponsor for the
McLaren-Mercedes Formula 1 team beginning in 2007, ending its sponsorship of the rival Ferrari team. The team will be
known as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
Peter Bamford, Vodafone's Chief Marketing Officer (left, above, with McLaren-Mercedes' Ron Dennis), said "The new
agreement delivers a fantastic marketing platform [for Vodafone]," referring in part to the company's plan to use its
3G network to deliver exclusive F1 content to its subscribers.
As McLaren-Mercedes title sponsor, Vodafone will replace the West tobacco brand. The move is a step up for Vodafone's
involvement with Formula 1, where it has been a second-tier sponsor of Ferrari.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Slo-Mo-Shun 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Wasn't Intel supposed to McLaren's title sponsor for 2006?
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James 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Waiting for the day when it is no longer "Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro"... cigarette's days are numbered as a source of sponsorship money for all motorsports.
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Stuart Waterman 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
#1/Slo - Intel has signed a lead sponsor deal with Williams.
#2/James - I'm not sure about the name, it may change, but Marlboro signed a multi-year extension of their Ferrari sponsorship. Even though their name can't appear, the color scheme will remain. Bizarre, but true! It was Marlboro's deal that led Vodafone to move to McLaren because the top spot at Ferrari was locked up.
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Stuart Waterman 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Oops. I think that's BMW Sauber, not Williams.
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GDP 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
i wonder what the car's livery will look like. i guess the recent change in the team's colours to include more red bodes well with this new sponsor.
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