Gazprom possibly new main sponsor Renault or Alpha Tauri
Gazprom seems to be planning to enter Formula 1 as (main) sponsor. Sources reported to GPToday that the Russian state oil and gas company is in talks with Scuderia Toro Rosso (Alpha Tauri from next season) and Renault. The company would also like to sponsor a number of Grands Prix as main sponsor.
Gazprom is the largest oil company in Russia and one of the largest natural gas companies in the world.
Main sponsor of Renault or Alpha Tauri
Alpha Tauri and Renault seem logical places for Russian sponsors who want to enter Formula 1. The only active Russian in Formula 1 at the moment is Daniil Kvyat, who will be in action for another season at Alpha Tauri in 2020. Countryman Sergey Sirotkin is a reserve driver for Renault, which makes both teams an attractive option for Russian companies and therefore for Gazprom. A possible deal would be for a period of 4 years, worth 35 million euros per year.
The whole story, according to the source, depends on the construction of the second Nord Stream gas pipeline. If this second pipeline from Russia is laid by the Baltic Sea to Germany, then Gazprom would be interested in joining Formula 1.
A little bit OT: This is the Pioneering Spirit, the biggest ship in the world (Dutch pride
), who is working already for months on the second Nord Stream gas pipeline.