VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES TEAM UNVEILED IN VALENCIA
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes race drivers Fernando Alonso and
Lewis Hamilton will drive through the streets of Valencia
in their Formula 1 cars later today to mark the start of an
exciting new era for the team.
The event heralds the launch of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
team, which Vodafone is joining as Title Sponsor and Official
Mobile Partner.
Fernando and Lewis, who form one of the youngest driver line-ups
in the history of the sport, will unveil the new livery to
an expected crowd of more than 150,000 on a bespoke circuit
around the Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias in two MP4-21
race cars. This will be followed by the unveiling of the 2007
car, the MP4-22, which Fernando and Lewis will use to contest
this year's Formula 1 World Championship.
The 2007 challengers will conduct a shakedown test at the
Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia, on Wednesday 17th January.
The intensive pre-season testing programme will then commence
on Wednesday 24th January at the same track.
Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett join Fernando and Lewis
to complete the driver line-up. Pedro and Gary, who are starting
their fifth and second years with the team respectively, will
continue to support the ongoing technical development of the
MP4-22 package during the course of the year alongside Fernando
and Lewis.
“This is a fantastic day for me - I am really proud
to be introducing myself as a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver
in my home country, and of course to help present my new team
to the Spanish fans,” said double World Champion Fernando.
“Although this is my first public event with Vodafone
McLaren Mercedes, I have already spent a lot of time with
the team and my fellow drivers Lewis, Pedro and Gary, at the
McLaren Technology Centre. It is a great team and I am excited
about this new beginning. My fans are such an inspiration
and it is great to bring the team so close to them. I hope
they enjoy watching Lewis and myself drive the cars in their
new livery around the streets of Valencia.”
For Lewis, today sees the realisation of a childhood ambition,
“Growing up, I saw so many Formula 1 launches in the
media, and to be here in Valencia to unveil the new Vodafone
McLaren Mercedes team really brings home to me the distance
I have travelled to achieve my dream of becoming a grand prix
driver,” said Lewis. “There is still a long way
for me to go, as I am at the early stages of my career and
have a lot to learn, but the passion I have for the sport
and this team is immense, I cannot wait to take to the grid
in Australia in March. This year will be about firsts for
me, starting with today and my first Formula 1 presentation
and my first demonstration run. It will be great to take the
cars onto the streets and I hope the fans like the new livery
as much as I do!”
Ron Dennis, Team Principal of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and
Chairman and CEO of the McLaren Group added: “This is
a very special moment as we officially unveil the team in
Valencia today. Vodafone represents only the second title
sponsor change in 30 years for the team – something
which we as an organization are very proud of."
"McLaren and Mercedes-Benz have enjoyed a very strong
relationship for the past 12 years and we are now looking
forward to a successful future as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes,"
continued Ron. "We all want to win but how we win has
always been very important to us and this value will remain
the driving force behind our new partnership. In parallel
we have developed a brand strategy which we hope will capture
and project the youthful and dynamic spirit of the new team.
In Fernando and Lewis we have two of the most exciting and
talented drivers in Formula 1. They both have great potential
to inspire others to push hard to achieve their dreams."
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank
the Generalitat Valenciana and in particular the President
Mr. Francisco Camps Ortiz and the Conseller Mr. Gerrado Camps
Devesa for their support in making today’s event happen.
For people to be motivated by something they have to really
experience it, and this is what we aim to generate today in
Valencia," said Ron.
Norbert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport: “Like
DaimlerChrysler, our new partner Vodafone is a global company
with more than 190 million customers worldwide. This clearly
opens up new opportunities and perspectives in the area of
communications for the team. With the 2007 line-up of double
world champion Fernando Alonso and F1 newcomer Lewis Hamilton,
we have both the youngest driver pairing on the starting grid
and in the history of the team. Furthermore, when Fernando
and Lewis make their debut for the team in the Australian
Grand Prix at Melbourne, it will mark the tenth anniversary
of the first McLaren-Mercedes F1 victory at the same circuit."
“Vodafone is delighted to be deepening our involvement
in motor racing by becoming Title Sponsor and Official Mobile
Partner of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team," said
Arun Sarin, Chief Executive of Vodafone. "We are very
excited about the opportunities the team will offer us to
continue to build our brand. Motor racing is all about 'Making
the most of Now' and similarly, we want all our customers
both business and consumer to get the most out of their time.
We wish the team all the best for the 2007 season,”
The event will also see the announcement of three new exclusive
special edition consumer handsets from Samsung and Sharp to
support the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team.
As Vodafone McLaren Mercedes moves into 2007, the team has
welcomed new companies to its prestigious group of Corporate
and Technology Partners, including aigo, Mutua Madrileña
and Santander. “As we start the 2007 season, the team
is benefiting from the valuable support of our world class
Partner group and today extend our thanks to our existing
sponsors,” said Ron Dennis. “With the likes of
Santander, aigo and Mutua Madrileña joining us from
this season, we have a Partnership portfolio that is unmatched
in Formula 1 or indeed in the field of sports sponsorship.”
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