Top 10 brands that left F1 in the past five years

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Vodafone – McLaren, trackside

 

Vodafone ended its seven-year deal with Formula One team, McLaren, at the end of the 2013 season as it looks to shift all sponsorship activity to supporting local events. The brand says the cost of backing the team, believed to be £75m a year, was not a factor in its decision and it will look to back local events more directly rather than partner with other brands.

LG – official partner, trackside

LG, the South Korean electronics brand, has decided not to extend its contract as a corporate sponsor of Formula One racing, after five years. LG signed a contract with Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone in November 2008 to become a ‘technology partner’. The deal placed LG’s branding on the international broadcast feed and timekeeping systems.

Gillette (P&G) – Bruno Senna/Williams

Another name has emerged as a possible successor for McLaren’s departing title sponsor Vodafone. The conventional wisdom in the paddock is that the Sergio Pérez-linked Telmex – Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim’s telecom giant – will arrive to replace Vodafone at the end of the year.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, however, has thrown another name into the hat. The magazine said the “latest rumour” is that McLaren’s next title sponsor could be Gillette, the US multinational and producer of safety razors.

Previously, Gillette – the market leader in Brazil – sponsored former F1 driver Bruno Senna at Williams and Lotus.

Intel – Caterham (previously BMW, trackside)

General Electric – Caterham

Telefonica – trackside

SingTel – trackside

Royal Bank of Scotland – Williams, trackside

Philips – Williams, trackside

Panasonic – trackside (previously Toyota)