Japanese spend the most in F1

The 'second division' is led by Ferrari sponsor Marlboro ($86m), which sets the benchmark for tobacco interest in the sport. BAT ($55m), Reemtsma (West - $50m) and Lucky Strike ($48m) vie only with Ford ($85m at Jaguar, $10m at Jordan) and Ferrari SpA ($60m) in the table, but maintain a healthy lead over the petroleum companies. Benson and Hedges is the odd one out in this group, spending only $6m with Jordan.

The higher oil price ahead of the war in Iraq has provided some buoyancy to oil shares but this is not expected to last, according to the Financial Times. In the last fortnight, the price of Brent crude has fallen $10 a barrel to $25. This will not come as good news to Petronas ($38m), Esso ($32m), Shell ($30m) and Mobil ($29m) which spend more than Elf ($22m) and Castrol ($18m).

In the technology sector, reductions in budgets over the last few years have left only a couple of sponsors still signing big deals but those that do, do make a sizeable spend. Hewlett-Packard has associations with three teams worth $42m, whereas Vodafone spends $41m with Ferrari. Panasonic ($31m) and Computer Associates ($20.8m) are next in line.

Bringing up the rear is a list of companies which spend a trifle by comparison. Among them, somewhat surprisingly, are Microsoft and Yamaha. The US software giant has a paltry $100 000 deal with Sauber and Yamaha a $50 000 deal with Toyota.

The total spend from just over 200 companies is calculated to be $1.939bn, this compares with an estimated $2.1bn last year.