The F1 newswire – Tuesday 7 February

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The F1 newswire – Tuesday 7 February – Sponsor edition

With days spent in transit and launches to cover, today's newswire has been split into several editions. First up, the raft of new sponsorship agreements and extensions to existing deals signed by the likes of FERRARI, LOTUS, and TORO ROSSO.

FERRARI's Santander deal is nothing new. But the team has now confirmed that the sponsorship deal has been extended to the end of the 2017 Formula 1 season, past the point at which Fernando Alonso's existing contract with the team is due to expire. "We are pleased to have extended our relationship with the Santander Bank," team principal Stefano Domenicali said in the press release. "In these first two years together, we have been able to see on a daily basis how much our two companies share the same values: a desire for excellence, love of competition, team work, the will to excel and to serve one’s customers needs. Having extended the contract from now is a sign of the great confidence Santander has in us and that is something of which we can be particularly proud."

Meanwhile, LOTUS have announced a sponsorship deal with Unilever, through their brands Clear and Rexona. "We are very proud to have been selected by CLEAR and Rexona and are very much looking forward to working with our two newest partners throughout 2012 and beyond," team principal Eric Boullier said in the press release. "The passion for business and desire to win is shared both at our factory here and in the offices of CLEAR and Rexona and this will ensure a very beneficial partnership in the years to come." The press release explains the link-up: "Fuelled by a competitive culture and a desire to be the best in class, CLEAR and Rexona are perfectly matched with Lotus F1 Team, an outfit steeped in Formula 1 history. Rexona for Men and CLEAR Men share with Formula 1 the same target audience: 18 to 35 year old affluent men, who are passionate about sports, adventure and technology. Formula 1 has a nearly year-long season with a consistent and regular calendar of races that have an attendance of over 200,000 fans per event. It attracts an average audience of more than 527 million viewers in over 180 countries for each race, making it the most-watched annual sport in the world."

TORO ROSSO have been busy announcing new deals with both Nova Chemicals and Falcon Bank, although I can't find the press release for the latter. You can enjoy the sight of their logo on the right-hand side of the drivers' upper chests. "Appropriately for a Canadian company, NOVA Chemicals came on board with Scuderia Toro Rosso at last year’s Canadian Grand Prix," team principal Franz Tost said. "We are delighted that they have extended their sponsorship to cover the 2012 season. It is all the more pleasing, because NOVA Chemicals and Scuderia Toro Rosso share similar values of innovation, teamwork and a focus on safety and performance."

In other TORO ROSSO news, the team have extended their deal with CEPSA, who were present at yesterday's car launch. "Having CEPSA on board means a lot to Scuderia Toro Rosso," Tost said. "CEPSA is one of Spain’s leading companies and, just like Formula 1, it is expanding its operation all around the world. Although closer to home, we and CEPSA will both enjoy performing in front of their home crowd, not once but twice, given that Spain is the only country on the calendar to host two Grands Prix per year. Here at Scuderia Toro Rosso, we are keen to repay the confidence CEPSA has shown in us, by delivering on track, not just in Barcelona and Valencia but also on the other eighteen race venues this year."

Check back here tomorrow for the latest news direct from the teams.

For launch articles and technical specs of the McLaren, Ferrari, Force India, Lotus, Sauber, Red Bull, Toro Rosso, and Williams, check out f1katewalker . Additional coverage of the Jerez tests can also be found at that link. Kate Walker

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