JULY 3, 2001

Toyota confirm Panasonic as sponsor

TOYOTA confirmed on Tuesday that they will begin their Formula One adventure backed by Panasonic after securing a five-year sponsorship deal.

The tie-up will see the electronics company's logo on the sides and rear wing of the Toyota car and the team will debut as Panasonic Toyota Racing.

The team have been running a test car this season which has been running in red livery, and the team is expected remain with that color scheme for the debut in 2002.

Toyota has long been involved with Matsushita, the company which has Panasonic as a brand logo, through motoring link-ups, and the partnership will also include a technology collaboration for the Formula One project.