Intel strikes £30m deal to back McLaren F1 team

Intel's decision to sign with McLaren ends the brand's association with

the Toyota F1 team, with which it has been a secondary sponsor for the
past two seasons.

The introduction of the ban on tobacco advertising at the majority of F1
races midway through the 2005 season has led to West not renewing its
contract with McLaren, which ended after the final race of the 2005
season.

The deal marks Intel's first major sponsorship of F1 after experimenting
with lower-level deals with Williams and Toyota.

Intel's deal is the second major sponsorship boost to the McLaren team
this year, and follows the signing of Diageo whisky brand Johnnie Walker
as a secondary sponsor in a £15m-a-year contract in February.

Sponsorship of Formula One teams is currently in a state of flux, with
many teams trying to attract new backers to replace outgoing tobacco
brands following the ban on tobacco advertising.

Honda Racing F1 team recently announced that it is seeking a title
sponsor for the 2007 season to replace Lucky Strike (Marketing, 7
December).