McLaren's Liquor Deal 'Could Cause Problems'

McLaren's newly signed sponsorship deal with whisky manufacturer Johnnie Walker will almost certainly leave the team open to criticisms about 'drinking-and-driving', even though alcohol brands have been involved in the sport for several years.

That is the view of McLaren boss Ron Dennis and close friend and arch rival Frank Williams â€" who openly admit that although they do not believe the sponsorship tie-up has moral implications, there will almost certainly be those outside the sport who believe it is not correct.

Dennis said: "There are going to be questions asked of this relationship. We are not going to move or shy away from it. We hide from nothing and we are upfront about it."

Williams, whose team are sponsored by Budweiser beer, said: "It could cause them problems or leave them prone to criticisms. But it doesn't seem to have affected (McLaren's engine partner) Mercedes-Benz."

Concerns about the deal from those closely involved with F1 have already begun to surface.

A spokesman for Alcohol Concern, the alcohol misuse agency, was quoted by The Guardian as saying: "If it's the start of a trend for alcohol to fill the role of tobacco in Formula One advertising, then it's something we would be very concerned about."

Williams has insisted, however, that the arrival of a major brand like Johnnie Walker into F1 should be welcomed because it does provide fresh evidence that the sport is still attractive to potential sponsors.

"It continues to prove that F1 is enormously attractive as a global opportunity for people to promote their brands," he said. "It really is remarkable because it is going on for eight months each year and its global footprint is unmarked except by the Olympics, which is once every four years."