Mclaren Mercedes 2014

[hollus]

Since we are off topic already and in Denmark:

In this case the technology in the car would actually be relevant!

[Th3GoodSon]

Maersk is a huge Company but i can't see anything they could achieve with a F1 Sponsorship.

"Our massive container ships move accross the ocean at a fraction of the speed of F1. Feel the power of Maersk! Watch as our sponsored cars are air freighted around the world! The synergies between out luxury brand intimately connected with the automotive industry and high tech energy recover units are easy to see! Maersk - because no one in international shipping knows who we are and we'd rather spend millions on car racing then invest in extra hulls to increase our market position!"

Source - used to work in the shipping industry as a market analyst

I really don't know why they WOULD sponsor F1, but they might I suppose for Danish pride. They're famous for ships and to a lesser extent fossil fuels. Their shipping arm has some involvement with air freight but it's a minor part of the business.

[WaikeCU]

Maersk is a huge Company but i can't see anything they could achieve with a F1 Sponsorship.

"Our massive container ships move accross the ocean at a fraction of the speed of F1. Feel the power of Maersk! Watch as our sponsored cars are air freighted around the world! The synergies between out luxury brand intimately connected with the automotive industry and high tech energy recover units are easy to see! Maersk - because no one in international shipping knows who we are and we'd rather spend millions on car racing then invest in extra hulls to increase our market position!"

Source - used to work in the shipping industry as a market analyst

I really don't know why they WOULD sponsor F1, but they might I suppose for Danish pride. They're famous for ships and to a lesser extent fossil fuels. Their shipping arm has some involvement with air freight but it's a minor part of the business.

If they want to focus more on that part of the business, then it should be a good beginning.

[Th3GoodSon]

If they want to focus more on that part of the business, then it should be a good beginning.

I should have provided a bit more information: Maersk own I think it is about a dozen cargo 747's. They do not, however, operate them themselves or in their colours - they are leased to other clients (UPS last I looked at it).

I don't think Maersk has any business interests that could be promoted by F1 and I fear wind turbines by Vestas might not fit with automotive either. Although the engines are now better and more efficient, F1 is hardly green or renewable and something like Formula E would be better. I think the best bet for Danish sponsorship would be banking/financial services (as previously suggested in other posts) or luxury brands like Bang & Olufsen - otherwise as far as I am aware most Danish firms would not seem to gain much from F1 related advertising beyond national prestige as suggested by Ron Dennis in his interview where he talked about Kevin being a national hero Denmark ought to get behind.

My speculation on what I have read and seen talked about is that Ron making trips to Denmark is obviously focused on looking for sponsorship. If he's pro-Kevin (I believe Kevin is a protégé of his, or so I've read elsewhere) and Button is being favored by, say, Honda and potentially Alonso (as proposed by other commentators and apparently supported in interviews with him) then it make sense that if he can secure significant sponsorship for Kevin it could sway the balance towards Kevin. That, in turn, could be tied up with the power struggle that appears to be happening within McLaren; if Ron 'gets his man' the seat, he gains prestige. If he does not get his way then he looses 'face' in management terms - especially if Alonso is keen on Button as is rumored, or if other stakeholders who are in conflict with him are behind Button or another driver. If Alonso or whoever Ron is in conflict with gets what he wants Ron may feel it will make it harder to control him over the coming season(s), and looses him traction within the wider McLaren group against the other stakeholders.

This of course assumes there IS internal conflict. Given McLaren must know the damage this is all doing to them with their fans and potentially with sponsors (by seeming to be in a weak or confused position) there must be an underlying cause of the continued lack of decision. That could be another major name is a possibility (some have suggested Hamilton, but I think that is unlikely), an issue with a sponsor whose opinion is in conflict with McLaren management (perhaps Honda is pro Button but McLaren would prefer Kevin) or some other form of conflict within management is occurring, with the drivers being the obvious outward sign of this.

[Lasse-E]

Knowing Maersk and Legos "normal" approach to sponsoring, I believe the only way they would bring any money to McLaren is if the family-controlled foundations of either company decided to give a donation and not an actual sponsorship (no logos) to secure Magnussen's seat.
But this is very unlikely to happen as neither of these foundations have any history of supporting individuals.

Regarding Vestas I don't believe they have the financial muscles needed.

[WaikeCU]

Which is my concern if Vandoorne would even be able to drive F1 at all? Yes, he has talent, but considering how Mclaren are now struggling in finding sponsors and are demanding Danish companies to start pumping money in sponsoring their Danish talent, I have doubts in whether there are big Belgian companies who are willing to sponsor Vandoorne.

[Pierce89]

Maersk is a huge Company but i can't see anything they could achieve with a F1 Sponsorship.

"Our massive container ships move accross the ocean at a fraction of the speed of F1. Feel the power of Maersk! Watch as our sponsored cars are air freighted around the world! The synergies between out luxury brand intimately connected with the automotive industry and high tech energy recover units are easy to see! Maersk - because no one in international shipping knows who we are and we'd rather spend millions on car racing then invest in extra hulls to increase our market position!"

Source - used to work in the shipping industry as a market analyst

I really don't know why they WOULD sponsor F1, but they might I suppose for Danish pride. They're famous for ships and to a lesser extent fossil fuels. Their shipping arm has some involvement with air freight but it's a minor part of the business.

You guys are missing the point of how f1 sponsorship works these days. It's not just a logo on a car but a huge opportunity to network and shmooze with other large companies as well as the prestige of simply being associated with f1. Hell, Maersk might pick up a sh!tload of new business on the f1 grid alone.

[JoeE]

am well annoyed at the current way Mclaren are carrying themselves. Multiple poor seasons from all angles, and now this.

I can see us sitting on the same step or slipping further down the ladder next year. I may spend my money on some Williams gear

[diffuser]

I like Button and wish that McLaren retain him but I can't see them paying him 15 Million again this year. Ithink he would have to take something around what Massa is getting at Williams

[Kiril Varbanov]

I have to cite myself for the driver lineup situation - http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/12/ ... ent-216986

The team, however, has reacted: https://twitter.com/McLarenF1/status/540922054279979008

[mclaren111]

I have read many, many times that their are no such a thing as bad PR !!!!!!!!!!!

And like always, in six months this will be a distant memory.

[diffuser]

I have read many, many times that their are no such a thing as bad PR !!!!!!!!!!!

And like always, in six months this will be a distant memory.

Unfortunately, I Agree.

[Alexgtt]

All news is good news. Surely their brand recognition figures are going through the roof. Is that the aim of this driver decision farce? If it is the entire thing is all about sponsorship.

[Sasha]

The official Mclaren Honda team wear is Black and White(caps,polo shirts,woman wear-white only).

[Sasha]

The official Mclaren Honda team wear is Black and White(caps,polo shirts,woman wear-white only).

Polo and T shirt is white with sleeves and shoulders black.(Mclaren,Honda and Mobil logos )

Jacket is black.

Cap is black with white bill.

Woman sweats is white.