McLaren in talks with Coca-Cola over future sponsorship deal

McLaren is holding talks with Coca-Cola over a potential sponsorship partnership in the future after an “excellent” three-race deal at the end of the 2018 Formula 1 season.

McLaren announced in October it would be racing with branding for Coca-Cola and two of its sister brands, Dasani Sparkling and SmartWater, at races in the USA, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

After a successful partnership, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said talks were ongoing with Coca-Cola about how a future deal between the two parties may work.

“The Coke deal was excellent. It worked for them,” Brown said.

“I don’t think it’s probably appropriate that I share the specific results other than to say the feedback that we’ve had from Coca-Cola is that it worked.

“It’s great that the McLaren brand worked for them, that the engagement with drivers worked for them, and that Formula 1 worked for Coca-Cola.

“There is no better, more experienced, savvy, sophisticated sponsor probably in the world than Coca-Cola, so for them to come out of their end of the year programme with us seeing successes is something that we’re proud of and the sport should be proud of.

“On the basis of that, we’re now in conversations about what the future could look like for our two brands together."