FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

By Jonathan Noble Saturday, September 12th 2009, 17:59 GMT

McLaren is set to retain its sponsorship deal with Santander in 2010, AUTOSPORT has learned, despite the Spanish banking giant's high-profile new deal with Ferrari.

Santander announced in the build-up to the Italian Grand Prix that it was embarking on a five-year major sponsorship deal with Ferrari from next year - an agreement that could see the company tie-up with Fernando Alonso at some point.

While the Ferrari deal was in place for some time, discussions are believed to have continued with McLaren about extending its current deal too - especially because of the huge success the bank's profile has enjoyed through its association with Lewis Hamilton.

It is understood that a deal is now close to being confirmed, with an announcement expected in the next week – and perhaps even in the build-up to Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

Santander chief Emilio Botin declined to comment about the McLaren situation when asked about the chances of a deal at the Ferrari announcement.

"Today we are here to speak about Ferrari," he said on Thursday. "From 2010, for five years, Santander will work together in red."

McLaren has also declined to comment about the state of negotiations with Santander.

At first, I was a bit surprised. But, after thinking about, I'm not really. Hamilton is going to be a fat cash cow for whomever he drives and is sponsored by, so it would be silly for Santander to completely turn their backs on McLaren.

[FerrariFan63]

Particularly since Santander now owns a number of British banks after they went (more or less) bust. They could do with association with a popular UK sporting figure for promotional purposes.

[Jabberwocky]

NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO the horrible Hamilton cut outs will stay in Abbey National

[Jabberwocky]

I bet no one starts a Santander + McLaren = Alonso? thread

[supeindesu]

I bet no one starts a Santander + McLaren = Alonso? thread

For sure...

[Jamie]

i am surprised really. As in the marketing world? Ferrari + Alosno = Good marketing for Santander. A champion team + the new greatest driver?

But McLaren provide somthing good. but on my trip to spain in 2007, Alonso was in the banks window all over, when i went this year. No one was on the shop window, so if your a man living in Spain. You want your driver on that window?

[Frosty]

i am surprised really. As in the marketing world? Ferrari + Alosno = Good marketing for Santander. A champion team + the new greatest driver?

But McLaren provide somthing good. but on my trip to spain in 2007, Alonso was in the banks window all over, when i went this year. No one was on the shop window, so if your a man living in Spain. You want your driver on that window?

I think Alonso, Ferrari could be for Spanish market and Lewis, McLaren for the British market?

[Jamie]

i am surprised really. As in the marketing world? Ferrari + Alosno = Good marketing for Santander. A champion team + the new greatest driver?

But McLaren provide somthing good. but on my trip to spain in 2007, Alonso was in the banks window all over, when i went this year. No one was on the shop window, so if your a man living in Spain. You want your driver on that window?

I think Alonso, Ferrari could be for Spanish market and Lewis, McLaren for the British market?

Which really was perfect. But i think Lewis & HSBC would be better

As i love that Mclaren & Lewis are all british. It's why i have his shirt

But Ferrari + Alonso = Santander - would make so much more sense?

[Gaz]

Either way we've still got Vodafone.

[Brandz]

i think its good news, i recently joined santander so im happy

[bud]

will it be Abbey branding then?

[Brandz]

i doubt it, still santander, in abbey banks they are advertising branding changes so i guess the abbey name will be gone soon

[Jabberwocky]

will it be Abbey branding then?

Abbey is being renamed next year (1st of Jan) to Santander.

I can see why they don't have a driver onthe window in spain anymore. I don't think the spanish fans like Hamilton very much. I suppose they could of had Kovi though

[Jamie]

Either way we've still got Vodafone.

Exactly. I think ferrari might want to pull Santander away, as Vodafone dropped them for Macca

[bud]

Monday 14th September, Woking, UK: The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team is delighted to announce an extension to its Corporate Partnership with Santander, with the high-profile Santander branding present on all four Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers.

Since the start of our winning relationship in 2007, Santander has seen its brand awareness rise in the UK from 20‰ to 82‰, supported by Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and its drivers, including reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton. This increase has coincided with the Santander Group's move to bring together Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley to operate under the single Santander brand.

Martin Whitmarsh, Team Principal of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, said: "We are extremely pleased to have extended our hugely successful global Partnership with Santander. As one of the world's leading banks with a significant presence in Europe, Brazil, Mexico, Chile and the United States and other countries, Santander is a great 'fit' with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and our triumphs on the global stage of Formula 1.

"The year 2009 marks Santander's third season of association with our sport, and during this time they have successfully title-sponsored three of the most prestigious and historic races: the British, German and Italian Grands Prix. We are very proud of our relationship with Santander and to be part of their ever-expanding Formula 1 involvement. We welcome, and wish them well with, their other activities - including, but not limited to, the afore-mentioned race sponsorships."

António Horta-Osório, Abbey's Chief Executive, added: "Since its inauguration in 2007, our corporate partnership with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has been extremely successful, especially in the UK, which is why we are delighted that we will continue to develop our alliance with the UK's number-one Formula 1 team for the benefit of our 20 million UK clients."

"The year 2010 will create a newly-refreshed scenario for Santander in terms of Formula 1 sponsorship. Our continuing partnership with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes - and especially with Lewis Hamilton - will fit very well with our ongoing development of the Santander brand, not only in the UK but globally too," said Juan Manuel Cendoya, Senior Vice President of Communications, Corporate Marketing and Research.

Lewis Hamilton added: "Some of the most enjoyable activities I have ever done off track during my Formula 1 career have been with Santander. Everything we do together is always thinking outside of the box, and I am looking forward to continuing that work together with them and the team. Over the past couple of years we have filmed some great TV ads - one of them turned me into an Airfix kit and then in the other I got to play on a life-sized Scalextric set! The Santander people are very cool and push home the value and strength of teamwork. With Santander I have also had the opportunity to attend some events in Spain. I love racing in Spain, too - Spanish motorsport fans are always so enthusiastic."

Heikki Kovalainen commented: "As with all our Partners, the work we do with Santander is put to very effective use across the world. For example, I was recently involved in a campaign in the German market. Santander are a real part of the McLaren Mercedes family, and we are obviously all very pleased that our relationship will continue. It demonstrates that Santander have achieved a superb return on their investment in our team."