Rumours continue to swirl over the possibility that Coca-Cola is looking to enter the world of F1 as a sponsor. Journalist Christian Sylt recently suggested that the drinks brand are contemplating sponsoring McLaren.
However McLaren currently have another drinks sponsor, Lucozade, leading some to rubbish the Coca-Cola rumours.
However two well-placed sources insist that the Coke rumours are real. One of the sources said he can prove that Coca-Cola’s global head of sports sponsorship has been obtaining detailed data on the beverage sponsorships sector in F1. He said Coke has “more than a passing interest” in the sport.
The other source, meanwhile, said the Coke/McLaren link is so strong that a potential 2014 McLaren livery has been contemplated that harks back to McLaren’s classic red and white of the 80s and 90s.
McLaren’s current grey/silver livery dates back to 1997, but its engine partner Mercedes’ rival works cars are now also coloured similarly. Moreover, the Woking based team will begin to pay for its Mercedes engines from 2013, as Force India does already.
“If McLaren goes ahead and switches its livery it would make sense to do it for a brand as big as Coke,” said Sylt on Wednesday.
Source:GMM
