McLaren and Vodafone have confirmed that their seven-year title partnership will conclude at the end of the 2013 season.
Vodafone, the worlds second largest telecommunications company behind China Mobile, had previously sponsored McLaren’s chief rival Ferrari. However in 2007, coinciding with the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, the company became title sponsor of the Woking outfit.
The company’s chief commercial officer Morten Lundal, believes the company has met and exceeded all the targets it set for its title partnership with McLaren, and has therefore decided to focus on priorities away from Formula 1 sponsorship.
“Vodafone and McLaren set ourselves highly ambitious goals in 2007,” he said in a statement. “Over the past six years, we’ve set new standards in sports marketing together, and in doing so have achieved all of those objectives. We look forward to continuing to work together throughout the 2013 season.”
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh added: “We’re immensely proud that, having been set a number of ambitious challenges by Vodafone back in 2007, together we’ve met or exceeded each and every one.
“Our focus is on continuing to drive results for all our partners throughout the 2013 season and we look forward to making a major title partnership announcement towards the end of the year.”
The team will announce its new title partner on December 2nd.
