Sunday, October 7th 2007, 05:56 GMT
Premium drinks maker Diageo has extended and increased its sponsorship deal with the McLaren Formula One team, the two sides announced today.
The new agreement will run until the end of the 2012 season, and includes an increased increased financial support for McLaren.
"Diageo and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have agreed the terms of an extended sponsorship of the team by Johnnie Walker, and the final agreement is expected to be concluded in the next few days," said Ben Anderson, marketing director of the Johnnie Walker brand.
"Over its first two years, the Partnership has been a powerful platform to drive brand equity and deliver Diageo's responsible drinking messages and the extended sponsorship clearly demonstrates Diageo's resulting confidence in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team as Partners for the future."
McLaren team principal Ron Dennis added: "It is always tremendously fulfilling when a partner extends its involvement with the team.
"Through its responsible drinking campaign, Johnnie Walker has activated a wide range of high profile and innovative programmes involving the team since our Partnership began in 2005, and we are looking forward to contributing further to the growth of the Johnnie Walker brand."
