McLaren Yet to Decide on Title Sponsor
McLaren have yet to make a final decision about whether they will run with a replacement title sponsor for West this year, claims team boss Ron Dennis
West's long association with McLaren ended at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, prior to the European Union ban on tobacco advertising, and Dennis said the team were undecided on whether it would have another title backer before the start of 2006.
"Will we run a title sponsor on the car during the course of this season? It is impossible for me to say," said Dennis at the Hungaroring. "If I had to balance everything I know, it has the attraction for additional exposure for our title sponsor next year but it also sends a bit of a confused message into the system.
"It would be difficult to do during the season, you would have to look at the uniforms, colouration of vehicles, the marketing strategies and so on, whereas we are in the position where we have six months plus to prepare.
"We would prefer to launch our title sponsorship prior to the first Grand Prix but not during the course of the season. But it is still under consideration."
McLaren officially unveiled a major sponsorship deal with whisky brand Johnnie Walker in Hungary, but it has been made clear it is not the team's new title sponsor.
Norris ‘swearing’ in helmet over costly F1 Japan Perez VSC confusion
Norris ‘swearing’ in helmet over costly F1 Japan Perez VSC confusion Norris ‘swearing’ in helmet over costly F1 Japan Perez VSC confusion
McLaren: Red Bull “still a step too far” despite Norris F1 rallying call
McLaren: Red Bull “still a step too far” despite Norris F1 rallying call McLaren: Red Bull “still a step too far” despite Norris F1 rallying call
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
Norris: McLaren "not miles away" from Verstappen after F1 Japanese GP double podium
Norris: McLaren "not miles away" from Verstappen after F1 Japanese GP double podium Norris: McLaren "not miles away" from Verstappen after F1 Japanese GP double podium
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
Has IndyCar's Texas loss come at the right time?
Has IndyCar's Texas loss come at the right time? Has IndyCar's Texas loss come at the right time?
Di Grassi leaves Mahindra Formula E team
Di Grassi leaves Mahindra Formula E team Di Grassi leaves Mahindra Formula E team
Williams: Costly F1 crashes masking Sargeant's "steady improvement"
Williams: Costly F1 crashes masking Sargeant's "steady improvement" Williams: Costly F1 crashes masking Sargeant's "steady improvement"
The four key concept changes that transformed McLaren's MCL60 F1 car
The four key concept changes that transformed McLaren's MCL60 F1 car The four key concept changes that transformed McLaren's MCL60 F1 car
How football has posed difficult questions for F1
How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip
How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip How Verstappen’s crushing Japanese GP win showed Singapore was a blip
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.