Shnaider Seeking Canadian Backing

Alex Shnaider has revaled that he is chasing major Canadian backing for his team, despite his intention to give his future Midland F1 outfit a Russian theme

Jul 25, 2005, 3:45 PM

Russian-born Shnaider is based in Toronto and, on the back of a new sponsorship deal with Canadian brewery company Steelback for his Jordan team, he wants more support from his adopted country.

"Having a Canadian partner on the team is very important. I would love to see more Canadian companies get involved and reap the global marketing benefits of this sport, because I truly believe they would realise tremendous returns on their investment," he told the Globe and Mail.

"We are in discussions with a number of large Canadian companies that are interested in the opportunities our team can deliver through F1."

Shnaider has hinted about creating a driver development programme for his team, but wants it to be funded by one of his team's sponsors.

"I think the positive publicity a company could derive from being involved in something like driver development would be tremendous and, as a current sponsor, Steelback would be given priority to participate."