McLaren losing Mobil sponsorship to Red Bull?

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ExxonMobil is said to be jumping ship from McLaren to Red Bull in Formula One, having worked with the former for 21 years and celebrated four world titles and 78 race wins together, according to reports from Auto Motor und Sport and Motorsport.com.

The Woking, England-based team has been facing a downturn in on-track fortunes, and news from the Mexico F1 Grand Prix has emerged that the oil company is said to be departing for the Red Bull Racing F1 team. Until now, Red Bull Racing has been in partnership with Total, Renault’s current oil partner.

With its last race win in 2012, its last drivers’ championship win in 2008 courtesy of Lewis Hamilton, and its last constructors’ title in 1998 with Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard at their respective wheels, the loss of a major sponsor may seem to reflect the squad’s ongoing struggles.

2016 Red Bull Puma F1 launch - 13

However, BP and Castrol is tipped to be returning to F1 and joining forces with McLaren when it does, rumoured to be a $30 million (RM125.9 million) deal in the making. It is reported that the Renault works team is also eyeing a deal with the British petroleum company.

Auto Motor und Sport reported that the separation has come as a result of rumoured arguments with team management, as the price to performance ratio wasn’t right. It added that the BP-Castrol deal is less lucrative than McLaren’s current one with Mobil, which may have effects on the McLaren-Honda’s performance.

This season, McLaren lost Tag Heuer as a sponsor – also to Red Bull – after 30 years of partnership with the luxury watchmaker. McLaren chief, Ron Dennis admitted to Autosport last year that the separation from Tag Heuer was due to a falling out with Tag Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver because Dennis “didn’t share his view on a radical approach to sponsorship.”

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Mikey on Oct 31, 2016 at 4:43 pm

    It is normal for Big sponsor to jump ship when the ship is not doing well. Gone were the days when the name McLaren can choose which team gets to be the main sponsor when you are the Champion or at least fighting for the championship.

    Concentrate on improving your partnership with Honda your supplier of engine. When the results show an improvement, there will be more willing to sponsor you. The bright side is there is still BP & Castrol who may be your main sponsor albeit a smaller deal.

    No point crying over spilled milk now. Please closed the deal B4 someone steal it under your nose. There is a saying – A bird in hand is better than many flying around.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • Renault, Williams, McClaren – all dying

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Ahmadjr on Oct 31, 2016 at 10:23 pm

    Blame the strict patent rules of F1,now it’s less competitive and boring

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Leonardo on Nov 01, 2016 at 8:48 am

    2017 could also mean an end to Fernando Alonso’s racing career. It is an open secrect that he his unhappy with the car’s performance. With the reduced sponsorship, McLaren will have less money to continually update its car during the whole 2017 seasaon to remain competitive.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • 44fan6 on Nov 02, 2016 at 2:59 am

    yesterday Bottas merely surpassed all time top speed by Pablo Montoya Mclaren-20 at 372.6kmh….
    no worries, next year power btween engine is converging, Mclaren Honda will be top 5 again and sponsors will knock door again…
    The problem is Honda engine has too small turbo , and in-season testing will be allowed and F1 will be competitive again…

    f1 2017- high power (1000hp) & close racing!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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