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Wolf to Red Bull, UPS departs Ferrari and other stories

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Wolf to Red Bull, UPS departs Ferrari and other storiesFormula 1 teams can’t survive without their sponsors, and recently there have been some updates in that regards, with Ferrari losing UPS, and Red Bull signing Wolf.

How ironic that Red Bull’s latest sponsor is called ‘Wolf’, and what’s more ironic is that ‘Wolf’ will be there to enhance the cybersecurity of the team.

Red Bull have announced that they have joined forces with US based cybersecurity specialists Arctic Wolf, “the global leader in security operations, delivering the first cloud-native security operations platform to end cyber risk” as described in the team’s statement.

The statement went on to say: “By equipping the Team’s existing infrastructure with its platform, Arctic Wolf will help ensure that the mission critical data and operations necessary for Red Bull Racing Honda to achieve success on and off track are protected at all times. System and network activity will be safely monitored 24/7 and 365 days a year, reducing potential exposure to computer systems at the Factory, Wind Tunnel, the Track and everywhere in between.”

Red Bull Racing Honda CEO and Team Principal Christian Horner said: “Modern Formula 1 is driven by data almost as much as it is by the incredible athletes behind the wheel. With vast amounts of information being generated in the creation of Red Bull Racing Honda’s cars and being sent from the track to the factory, every day protecting the competitive edge we work so hard to achieve is crucially important. Our partnership with Arctic Wolf will further enhance our cybersecurity operations and keep our data safe.”

Ferrari and UPS part ways

UPS has been the Scuderia’s official logistics and shipping partner since 2013, but it has been revealed that the sponsorship agreement has ended without renewal as confirmed in a report by Sports Business Journal, who also reported that UPS has been removed from Ferrari’s team partners website page along with Mission Winnow, Philip Morris’ initiative to transform the company by reducing their cigarette sales and promoting alternative technologies.

The future of the relationship between Ferrari and Philip Morris remains unclear with Mattia Binotto telling The Race: “We are discussing it at the moment. They have been our title sponsor and if you look at the way that we subscribe our team to the next championship, it’s not called anymore Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow, but only Scuderia Ferrari.

“I think that’s quite straightforward as an answer. But still, there are many opportunities on which we may collaborate with them, keeping them as partners.

“We have various options on the table at the moment and we are still talking, and hopefully that will remain as a strong partner, but it will take some more days and some more weeks.”

Ferrari have recently announced that Santander would be returning as a sponsor for the first time since 2017 on a multi-year agreement.

They have also announced Swiss technology firm Velas Network as a partner, to create digital content for its fans, the luxury sports car maker said on Monday.

Kaspersky re-signs with Ferrari

Ferrari has also announced that it has renewed its sponsorship agreement with Kaspersky in a team statement.

Ferrari said in its statement: “Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that it has renewed a multi-year partnership agreement with Kaspersky, a world leader in the field of cyber security and data protection. The collaboration dates back to 2010 and was renewed in 2015, while this further renewal sees its scope expand, as Kaspersky will now also be an Official Partner for the FDA Esports Team, the department that, since 2019, deals with virtual motorsport within the Ferrari Driver Academy.

“As part of the partnership, Kaspersky provides several essential services, including the constant protection of Ferrari data both in its Maranello headquarters and at the race tracks around the world. The company logo will feature on the drivers’ and team members’ helmets and clothing at all official Scuderia events, as well as on the shirts worn by the FDA Esports Team sim drivers and on the Ferrari cars in the various games platforms with which the Maranello marque is involved.”

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said: “We are pleased to renew our partnership with Kaspersky and in fact to increase its scope. Our two companies have much in common, such as a policy of striving for technological excellence and a culture of teamwork. For over a decade, Kaspersky has played a key role for Scuderia Ferrari, protecting our data both at the track and in Maranello and it is important that we can count on such a reliable partner when it comes to such a delicate aspect in the life of a team. We are also happy that our collaboration has been extended into the world of esports, which is growing fast and is vital when it comes to promoting motorsport to a wider and younger audience.”

Williams win $ 35-million lawsuit against Rokit

Just before Williams was acquired by US-based investment firm Dorilton Capital in August 2020, Williams terminated their sponsorship agreement with Rokit and Rokit Drinks, an agreement that was signed ahead of the 2019 F1 season intended for five years.

However, Decalspotters, has reported that Williams has filed a lawsuit against Rokit for failing to make payment to the Grove-based outfit under the agreement, with the news outlet dedicated specifically to motorsport branding, business and sponsorship coverage stating that “The California Central Court attributed a payment of $35.7 million in arbitration to ROKiT for failing to oblige with the contractual agreements with Williams Racing.”

Are Aston Martin and BWT parting ways?

BWT, an Austrian company specialized in systems for the generation, storage and distribution of Purified Water and Water for Injection (WFI), has been the sponsor of the Silverstone-based F1 team ever since the days when it was called Force India and Racing Point, with the team’s cars having the pink color used in BWT’s branding, the cars being dubbed the ‘Pink Panthers’.

The sponsorship continued under the F1 team’s Aston Martin moniker despite the cars being painted in British Racing Green, with Sebastian Vettel acting as an ambassador for the water treatment company instead, as the German driver debuted a pink helmet at the start of the 2021 F1 season.

However, Aston Martin have removed BWT from the team’s list of partners featured on the F1 team’s website, and that coincided with the announcement that the team’s long-serving boss Otmar Szafnauer will be departing with immediate effect, with rumors linking Szafnauer with a role at Alpine. Coincidence?

Mercedes lose Bose and Epson?

Long-term Mercedes sponsors Bose and Epson have reportedly ended their collaboration with the eight-time F1 Constructors’ Champions ahead of the 2022 F1 season. However no official statement has been issued by Mercedes.