British American Tobacco, which had its own Formula 1 team before selling to Honda in '06, is "returning to the sport" under a multiyear global partnership with McLaren, according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. Both sides said in a statement announcing the deal on Monday that the partnership will focus solely on BAT’s "potentially reduced risk products," with an "emphasis on technology and innovation." The statement said, "McLaren Applied Technologies will work with BAT on areas including battery technology and advanced materials." BAT, the world’s second-biggest int'l tobacco company by revenue, bought Tyrrell in '97 and competed as British American Racing from '99 until the end of '05, when Honda took over (REUTERS, 2/11).
WILLIAMS-ROKIT: In London, Joe Krishnan reported Williams F1 announced a partnership with telecom ROKiT. ROKiT will become a title sponsor and be featured on the livery, replacing Martini, which opted not to extend its deal. Williams will be known as ROKiT Williams Racing for the upcoming season. ROKiT's logo will appear on the side of the Williams car (EVENING STANDARD, 2/11).
F1 SIGNS CYBER1, LIQUI MOLY: F1 announced a five-year deal with Cyber Security 1. Cyber1 will provide F1 with solutions to secure the sport's infrastructure from potential cyber threats (CYBER1). F1 partnered with German motor oil brand Liqui Moly, which will have trackside advertisements at 11 races. Liqui Moly CEO Ernst Prost: "We hope that out of the more than 1 billion viewers who follow this spectacle on television all over the world every year, it may occur to some of them to take a closer look at Liqui Moly and purchase our product." Liqui Moly will be showcased for the first time at the Bahrain GP on March 31 (Liqui Moly).
