Future Of McLaren-Petrobras Deal Unclear

The Brazilian government owns a 64% stake in Petrobras. GETTY IMAGES

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro claimed on Twitter that Petrobras is "seeking to end its partnership" with McLaren F1. The Brazilian company, which is 64%-owned by the government, is responsible for developing fuel and lubricants for the team and its branding appears on the F1 car. A McLaren spokesperson said, "Such matters are commercially confidential and therefore we are not able to comment further." Petrobras recently chose to "end its support" of the national Seletiva de Kart competition (AUTOSPORT, 5/18). It is "not clear" whether Petrobras could actually pull out of the arrangement without incurring "major penalty clauses in the process" (F1i.com, 5/18).

Meanwhile, McLaren Sporting Dir Gil de Ferran addressed Fernando Alonso failing to qualify for this weekend's Indy 500, saying, "We have not given you [Alonso] a fast enough car. You have driven like the champion you are" (AS, 5/20).