McLaren boss Zak Brown confirmed the team has attracted a lot of sponsor, but the team are not planning on announcing a title sponsor for the 2018 season.
Speaking to media, Brown said: “I don’t think we’ll have a title sponsor next season. We have major partners. If you look at F1, one ones will specially mention the name of the team title sponsor, so I find it worthless.
“If you look at F1, no one will specifically mention the name of the team title sponsor, so I find it worthless. We are McLaren and not ABC McLaren.” Don’t want to sell the title, we just want to keep the name of the team, McLaren.
“After the NASCAR driver came out of the car they said, ‘I am grateful to Chandon Ford today.’ These will not be available in Formula 1, so we want to protect our brand.” Brown added.
The 46-year-old American also added McLaren has been moved both by changes in Formula 1 as a whole and the stronger situation of the team itself as is switches from Honda to Renault power for next season.
“We have signed some sponsors, but I don’t know exactly when we’re going to announce them. We’re not done yet, so all sponsor are welcome!” Brown said.
“We’ve got a lot of excitement. There’s a good buzz around Formula 1,TV ratings are up, live attendance is up, new owners, strategic vision, so there’s momentum behind F1.” he added.
McLaren boss Zak Brown and their driver Fernando Alonso. (Source:www.en.as.com)
Former McLaren team principal Ron Dennis in 2016, told that the era of the title sponsor in Formula 1 had probably passed, and Brown thinks that’s why he wants no title sponsor for next season. However, Red Bull and Sauber still have their own title sponsor in 2018.
“The era of the title sponsor in Formula 1 has probably passed. That is because F1 sponsors today want and demand a far more complicated series of the rights than even before, focused principally on activation strategies meticulously tailored to meet their marketing objectives ” Dennis said.
“In other words, the days when you slapped a big logo on the side of your car and called it your title sponsor are long gone.
“Besides, McLaren Marketing, which is the dedicated McLaren Technology Group company tasked with securing sponsors, which are always refer to as partners by the way, has had and extremely successful autumn and winter.” he added.