DECEMBER 14, 2005

McLaren and Vodafone - a 10 year deal

McLaren boss Ron Dennis says that the deal with Vodafone is for 10 years although there is the possibility that the company will not continue after five. This has been included because Vodafone is a public company and it was committed to more it would need to include the money for the entire period on its balance sheet. The intention is for a long-term deal and given McLaren's record with previous title sponsors, this may not be the full term of the deal.

McLaren will be running its cars in orange livery until February and will then unveil a livery that will take the team through 2006 and into the Vodafone deal, which will kick off in 2007. In effect this means that McLaren will not have a title sponsor in 2006.