Spyker Formula One Team flies high with Etihad Airways and Aldar

Today at a press conference at the opening GP of the season in Melbourne, the Spyker F1 Team, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and Aldar, Abu Dhabi's leading integrated property development company, announced a major new long-term title partnership that will see the team rebranded Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 Team for the next three seasons. Both the Etihad Airways and Aldar logos will have primary presenting branding on the team's cars and driver overalls from Australia onwards.

Etihad Airways was established in July 2003 with Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, as its hub. In less than four years Etihad's network has grown to reach across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle-East and North America to an unprecedented 37 destinations. Etihad's excellence of service has also been recognised by the World Travel Awards, with the airline voted the World's Leading New Airline for the past three consecutive years.

Aldar creates world-class real estate developments for the nation of Abu Dhabi, whilst providing a stable and profitable investment portfolio for its investors. Amongst its many projects, Aldar is responsible for the development of the pioneering Yas Island. With new standards of innovation, excellence and value in urban design, the Island will occupy a total land area of 2,500 hectares and will feature attractions such as a world-class motorsport circuit, the venue for the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, signature hotels and a retail development of 300,000 square metres.

Colin Kolles, Etihad Aldar Spyker's team principal and managing director, commented, "This partnership is the start of a new era for the team. We are proud to be associated with Etihad and Aldar, two of Abu Dhabi's major brands that have both shown a determination and desire to succeed in their own industry sectors. This drive matches Spyker's philosophy and brand values perfectly and I hope we will both continue to progress together for many years to achieve our own respective goals."

Michiel Mol, Etihad Aldar Spyker's director of Formula 1, added, "This is another stepping stone towards our goal of getting to the forefront of Formula 1. When we came into the sport just six months ago, we emphatically stated we wanted to provide an attractive package to draw commercial partners to the team. We have now shown we can deliver on our statements."

James Hogan, chief executive of Etihad Airways, added, "I am absolutely delighted to see the birth of the Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 team. As well as being a turning point in the Spyker team's own history, it marks the start of a new era for the airline itself. We will use the partnership to launch the airline to a completely new level of consumer awareness. This is just the start of a very exciting partnership, one that will hopefully bring both parties great success."

Ronald Barrott, CEO of Aldar, said, "Abu Dhabi is a fast growing market and Formula 1 is integral to its commercial growth. Aldar has shown a firm commitment to Formula 1 with the ongoing development of Yas Island, but the partnership with Spyker profoundly deepens our involvement and widens the profile and reach of the company. As a developing organisation ourself, the partnership is a perfect match and we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship."

Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars N.V said, "Ever since Mubadala development company, a principal investment company wholly owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, became a shareholder in our company in November 2005, the ties between Spyker and Abu Dhabi have strengthened resulting, amongst others, in today's announcement. I am very proud that this partnership with Etihad and Aldar has come to be and this is only the beginning."