2006 McLaren sponsor ‘Emirates’ will reportedly not return to the formula one grid next year.
British specialist magazine ‘BusinessF1’ writes that the airline’s sponsorship of McLaren this year was a one-off, and the Dubai-based company also opted against switching its logo to the Honda F1 car in 2007.
The one-year McLaren deal included a clause allowing an extension, the magazine said, but Emirates declined.
With new main sponsor Vodafone arriving in 2007 to dominate the next McLaren livery, Emirates did, however, negotiate with Honda about next season, ostensibly to replace the departing ‘Lucky Strike’ cigarette sponsor.
But talks with the Brackley based squad, for an estimated $20-25m deal, ultimately failed.
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
