McLaren's New Vodafone Sponsorship

[OSTKURVE]

I was quite surprised to see that Vodafone ended their long standing relationship with Scuderia Ferrari to become McLaren's chief sponsor for the 2007 season.

Does this have anything to do with Schumacher's depature from F1? Was Vodafone solely a sponsor of Ferrari during Schumacher's tenure @ Ferrari due to his nationality?

Did they align themselves with McLaren because of the partenership with Norbert Haug & Mercedes their engine supplier which coincidently happen to be German.

[andy_b]

it was announced well over a year ago, around the same time that they quit Manchester United. Your right that they have had a relationship with Mercedes for years, with DTM and DTM series sponsorship.
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When the Emirates deal was announced this time last year, they mentioned that it was just for 1 year, while McLaren waited for Ferrari and Vodafone to see out their contracts

[andy_b]

vodafone IIRC was originally (might still be) a UK company, not a German company. It bought D2 years ago though, which was a big player in Germany and the DTM D2 sponsorship morphed into vodafone.

[Mike_Wooshy]

vodafone is a UK company, but has a strong presents in many markets.
IIRC before they pulled out of Japan they were going to sponsor Honda in an attempt to boost sales there.

[JeremySmith]

aren't Vodafone and Verizon one of the same?

[andy_b]

IIRC, Vodafone UK own a non-majority share of Verizon. At least, they did a few years ago. It stops them using the brand in the US

[Gt_R]

IIRC, Vodafone moved partly due to their desire to be the title sponsor of Ferrari replacing Marlboro. However, it's not happening considering how much more Marlboro is willing to continue to pay, and Vodafone made the jump because Mclaren is willing to give title sponsor for the same money that Vodafone has been pumping into Ferrari. Better value.

That said, Ferrari apparently didn't have trouble finding another company willing to replace the cash injections.. even if the logo is a little ugly.

[Greenback]

IIRC Philip Morris has actually bought the entire advertising space on the car, and the negotiation should be between Vodafone and PM.

[safc_fan89]

it makes more sense for Vodafone to be Mclaren's title sponsor than Ferrari's secondary sponsor. I'd also imagine that Mclaren's car would get a lot more coverage because it is a much better-looking car than the Ferrari is. I think it's a wise move...even if Mclaren's constant references to Vodafone are getting a tad nauseating

[Knowlesy]

This was announced late 2005 IIRC and, as has been said, Vodafone wanted title sponsorship which Ferrari could not offer them.

[touringlegend]

Just trying to remember whether Alonso had been announced for McLaren when Vodafone did the deal with McLaren. I believe they were cutting back on sponsorship so they might even have more space at McLaren for less money, and the double world champion.

[bosch!]

Originally Posted by andy_b

it was announced well over a year ago, around the same time that they quit Manchester United.

Man U's new shirt sponsor has a relationship (common ownership?) with the group that took over the club in 2005. The change of sponsorship is widely thought to be related to that realationship.

[kmchow]

Yeah, the Mclaren sponsor scheme does look quite sad compared to Williams.
http://www.mclaren.com/theteam/image...4-22_above.jpg
http://www.mclaren.com/theteam/image.../MP4-22_3q.jpg

more pics under
http://www.mclaren.com/theteam/launch_images.php

[duke_toaster]

Never mind, I got fed false info.

[Flat12-Aircool]

I think the car looks great, superb chrome paint scheme with a flame-esque Vodafone flash down the side.

Plus, going by last years Silverstone test it's sounds the best also. Typical F1 screech but behind that there is a deep "buzzy" type sound especially in the higher gears.

Problem I have is that I want somebody other than Alonso to win this year, so it's either Hamilton or as I've said elseware I really think this could be a good year for Honda.