LONDON/KUALA LUMPUR: Formula One champions Mercedes sent a statement of intent about their future on Monday (Feb 10) with the announcement of a five-year principal sponsorship deal with British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe's petrochemicals giant Ineos. Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff hailed a new chapter for a team who have won the last six drivers' and manufacturers' titles with Lewis Hamilton chasing his seventh career crown this season. "We are in this for the long term," Wolff told reporters at a news conference at London's Royal Automobile Club. "But the partnership is clearly something that indicates our wish to continue our successful journey in Formula One," added the Austrian. Mercedes already had a 'performance partnership' with the company, working with the Team Ineos cycling outfit and Olympic yachtsman Ben Ainslie’s INEOS TEAM UK in a challenge for sailing’s America’s Cup in 2021.

Source: The Star February 10, 2020 12:56 UTC