The Canadian Grand
Prix is one of those Formula 1 weekends where the business side is
almost as visible as the racing. Big companies are everywhere around the event
now.
Telecommunication companies, fashion labels, engineering firms, betting
operators. Formula 1 keeps getting bigger globally, so naturally more companies
want in.
The race in
Montreal draws huge crowds every year and reaches beyond just motorsport fans.
Brands know people are watching. That includes the growing
online casino
Ontario market focussed industry. Online casinos and betting
companies have become more involved in motorsport in general.
Formula 1 teams
are just as involved. Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull Racing, Alpine,
Aston Martin, and more, all have big commercial partnerships that influence how
the cars look and how the teams present themselves through the season.
Luxury companies
have always liked Formula 1. Rolex spent years as the official timekeeper
before TAG Heuer returned through Formula 1’s partnership with LVMH. That deal
alone showed how valuable the sport has become for luxury marketing.
Formula 1 Still
Attracts Luxury Brands
Now Gucci is being
mentioned too. Reports have
suggested the Alpine F1 team could be in talks with
Gucci over a future title sponsorship
agreement. If that actually happens, Formula 1 could eventually end up with a
full Gucci-branded team identity starting from 2027.
Not every Formula
1 sponsor is chasing fashion branding though. Some want to be connected to
engineering and future technology.
That’s why JCB,
which sponsors Aston Martin in Formula 1, recently made headlines. The company
is preparing a hydrogen-powered land speed record attempt. Their Hydromax
vehicle will run using hydrogen combustion engines, with Andy Green behind the
wheel again.
Green holds the world land speed record for breaking the sound
barrier on land years ago. Projects like
this are exactly why companies like being involved in motorsport. Bell Is Now One of
the Biggest Names in the Canadian GP
Bell’s involvement
goes beyond regular sponsorship. The company became the official sponsor of the
Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, while also acting as owner, promoter, and
broadcaster connected to the race. This came after Bell acquired Octane Racing
Group shortly after the cancellation of the 2021 race during the pandemic. The
organization later became Bell GPCanada.
Bell says it’s
working to grow the event as both a sporting and economic attraction for
Montreal and Canada. They want it to stay one of the biggest sporting weekends
in Canada, while also expanding the race experience across Bell platforms.
Casino Brands
Moving into Motorsport
Casino
sponsorships have become a lot more common in racing. Formula 1 fans are
exactly the type of audience many gambling companies want. Fans follow
everything now: driver news, qualifying, team updates, live races, and
strategy discussions. That’s why casino and
betting companies keep investing in motorsport partnerships.
It all usually
starts with visibility during races. Fans notice logos on cars, barriers, or
team gear. Later they might check out the platform itself, welcome bonuses,
race betting, or racing-themed casino games. Formula 1 officially entered that
space in 2026 with a betting partnership covering several international
regions, including Canada.
Sponsors Keep
Teams Running
These deals help
cover development costs, simulator programs, travel expenses, staff,
hospitality setups, and junior driver projects. Even smaller racing series
depend on sponsors just to stay competitive. That’s why teams are always
searching for new partnerships. Bell has expanded its role around the race.
Luxury brands are still entering Formula 1 conversations. Betting companies are
investing more into motorsport audiences.
As Formula 1 keeps
growing every season, more companies will keep trying to attach themselves to
races like the Canadian GP.