Motor racing - McLaren agree long-term deal with Petrobras
The logo of Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras is pictured in the company headquarters in Sao Paulo, Brazil February 20, 2018. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
LONDON (Reuters) - Former world champions McLaren have agreed a long-term partnership with Brazilian state oil company Petrobras, the Formula One team announced on Tuesday.
Petrobras most recently sponsored the Williams team, leaving at the end of 2016.
McLaren were the team that provided the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna with his three world championships in 1988, 1990 and 1991.
The new helmet of McLaren Formula One driver Spain's Fernando Alonso, with the logo of Petrobras, is pictured during a media conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil February 20, 2018. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
Brazilian double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi also won the 1974 title with McLaren, who used fuels and lubricants supplied by BP and its Castrol brand last year.
McLaren are starting a new partnership with Renault this season after three difficult years with Honda, with whom they had been successful during the Senna era.
The team currently have Spaniard Fernando Alonso, a double world champion, and Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne as their line-up.
McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale attends a media conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil February 20, 2018. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
There are no Brazilian drivers currently in Formula One following the retirement of Felipe Massa at the end of 2017.
McLaren are the second-most successful team in Formula One history but have not won the constructors' title since 1998. They last won a race in 2012.
The season starts in Australia on March 25.
McLaren managing commercial and financial director John Cooper attends a media conference in Sao Paulo during a media conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil February 20, 2018. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Christian Radnedge)
The new helmet of McLaren Formula One driver Spain's Fernando Alonso, with the logo of Petrobras, is pictured during a media conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil February 20, 2018. REUTERS/Paulo WhitakerMcLaren managing director Jonathan Neale gestures as he attends a media conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil February 20, 2018. REUTERS/Paulo WhitakerFILE PHOTO: The logo of state-run oil company Petrobras is pictured in the company headquarters in Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil, February 10, 2017. To match PETROBRAS-DIVESTITURE/TAG REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker/File photo
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