MasterCard is reportedly considering a substantial sponsorship deal within Formula 1. The company is said to be willing to dig deep into its pockets to associate the MasterCard name with its own racing team. Several top teams have shown interest, but McLaren seems to be the frontrunner. Will they follow in the footsteps of Ferrari’s competitors in Woking with a new title sponsor?
MasterCard’s Potential Game-Changing Sponsorship Deal
According to reports, MasterCard is working on a massive sponsorship deal. This is great news for Formula 1 teams – the deep pockets of the American payment giant promise to provide a significant boost. Several top teams, including McLaren, Aston Martin, Mercedes, and Ferrari, have reportedly shown interest in partnering with the company. The latter has already sold its team name to tech giant HP.
McLaren Poised to Secure Sponsorship Deal
According to Sportbusiness.com, McLaren is in pole position to secure a sponsorship deal. The Miami Grand Prix is expected to be the backdrop for a major announcement. It’s possible that the team from Woking could start as McLaren Mercedes MasterCard. The race in Florida is the first of three races on American soil, making it a significant platform for American sponsors. Interestingly, MasterCard would not be the only finance company in the sport. Since early 2024, Red Bull’s sister team has been known as Visa Cash App RB.
MasterCard’s History in Formula 1
This is not the first time MasterCard has made its presence felt in Formula 1. In 1997, the company was the title sponsor of Lola. However, it was not a long adventure. After a disastrous qualification during the opening weekend in Australia (drivers Vincenzo Sospiri and Ricardo Rosset were 11 seconds slower than Jacques Villeneuve’s fastest time), the team was immediately disbanded.
