Superior brake parts cleanerSuperior brake parts cleaner

McLaren dealt further sponsorship blow, Bernie poaches Johnnie Walker

Motorsport.com

Motorsport.com3:23am 22 September 2014

McLaren has reportedly suffered yet another sponsorship blow.

On the eve of the Singapore Grand Prix, Bernie Ecclestone unveiled whisky brand Johnnie Walker as a new official sponsor for the sport.

Speed Week asked the F1 supremo how he always manages to collect top backers, while the teams themselves are struggling commercially.

“The teams also have great sponsors,” the 83-year-old Briton insisted.

“Johnnie Walker has sponsored one of the teams,” Ecclestone.

He was, of course, referring to McLaren, the British grandee team that in the wake of Vodafone’s departure has failed to sign a new title sponsor in 2014.

Not only that, amid McLaren’s performance slump, long-time sponsor Hugo Boss jumped ship to Mercedes.

And now, according to the Mirror newspaper, McLaren is losing Johnnie Walker as well.

Correspondent Byron Young said that as the drink brand’s parent Diageo signs up with Ecclestone, its withdrawal of the McLaren deal is a “crippling blow” for the Woking based team.

“The decision will come as another embarrassment for boss Ron Dennis who has refused to cut his rate card despite the recession,” said Young.

Ironically for McLaren veteran Jenson Button, however, the financial struggles in F1 could now be his best chance to stay on the grid beyond 2014.

If the pitlane drops below ten teams, Ecclestone will ask the richer teams to bolster numbers by running third cars.

But Button said he would prefer if his talks with Dennis result in a new deal on its own merit.

“I talk to Ron a lot. It’s all moving along fine,” he said in Singapore. “I’m not scared of anything.

“I would rather not have to think about the only way I have a career next year is with a three car team. I like F1 the way it is.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

First image of 2015 Lotus E23 revealed

1:57pm 27 January 2015

Autosport
0

Lotus has released images of the new mercedes-powered e23 formula 1 car that it hopes will get it back…  More >

New Ferrari boss: F1 needs a revolution

11:08am 26 January 2015

Autosport
0

1422035609

Ferrari’s new team boss maurizio arrivabene believes rule changes planned for 2017 must be a revolution for formula 1…  More >

FIA to sue Streiff for Bianchi investigation claims

9:14am 23 January 2015

Autosport
0

Fia president jean todt and medical chief gerard saillant are planning legal action against former formula 1 driver philippe…  More >

Force India reveals 2015 colours

11:17am 22 January 2015

Autosport
0

Motor Racing - Sahara Force India F1 Team Livery Launch -  Mexico City, Mexico

Force india has unveiled its striking new colour scheme in an event in mexico on wednesday, ahead of a…  More >

World champion lewis hamilton’s father is involved in plans to revive a south african grand prix. since splitting as…  More >

Racism in the racing paddock

11:12am 22 January 2015

Motorsport Magazine
0

Lewis-Hamilton

will there ever be a lewis hamilton of motogp, a black king of motorcycle…  More >

RACE COUNTDOWN

V8 SuperTourers

Round 4

Waikato 250, Hampton Downs, 31 January

NZV8

Round 5

Manfeild Circuit, Feilding, 15 February

Indycars

Round 1

Brasilia Indy 300, Brasilia, 1 March

V8 Supercars

Round 1

Clipsal 500, Adelaide, 1 March

V8 Supercars

Round 2

Tasmania 400, Symmons Plains, 1 March

  • Latest story comments

  • CRC Motornews poll

    Who do you think will be top of the Kiwi in the 2014 V8 Supercars?

      View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...
  • Newsletter icon

    Get the latest motorsport news delivered to your inbox