Mercedes Sponsorship A Business Decision - Petronas

Mercedes Sponsorship A Business Decision - Petronas

By: Ramjit

STUTTGART, 26 Jan (Bernama) -- The Mercedes Formula One team sponsorship by Petronas is purely a business decision, said Petronas corporate services vice-president Ahmad Nizam Salleh.He said the package was attractive with the cost much lower than sponsoring other racing teams.Ahmad Nizam said patriotism was not at issue in the sponsorship as the decision was prompted by a sound investment decision that could result in good returns to shareholders.

"The opportunity enable us to meet our business targets. But we will review the sponsorship from year to year for the next five years of the deal," he told reporters after launching a Mercedes GP Petronas' new racing machine here Tuesday.

The deal with Mercedes dealt a blow to Swiss-based Sauber, which is in urgent need of sponsors after the withdrawal of BMW at the end of the season, as well as the new Malaysian-backed Lotus team.Ahmad Nizam said unlike previous F1, the branding exercise now entailed long-term business prospects.He said Mercedes had chosen Mercedes over BMW Sauber, Williams and Lotus based on its vast experience in F1.