Formula 1 & The Epstein Files: Not good news for McLaren sponsor DP World

From a Formula 1 perspective, DP World joined McLaren as Official Partner and Global Logistics Partner in February 2023, tasked with optimising the team’s global supply chain across the Formula 1 calendar, in a deal that makes it a prominent sponsor. The agreement covers the movement of race kits, freight and equipment worldwide, with a focus on faster, smarter and more sustainable logistics.

DP World branding features on the McLaren F1 cars, team assets and apparel and on the overalls of Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The deal remains active into 2026.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem is among hundreds of names of prominent international businessmen (many still redacted to the public) mentioned in a tranche of email correspondence between Epstein and his associates. 

Members of the U.S. Congress said DP World Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem's name appeared in the files, prompting renewed scrutiny of his past interactions with Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

The files showed bin Sulayem had corresponded with the disgraced financier for more than a decade. His name is mentioned over 5,000 times when searching the 'Epstein Library' site of the 3-million file dump last week.

DP World declined to comment to Reuters. Bin Sulayem did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent to his LinkedIn account.  

The latest release of files from the U.S. Department of Justice resulted in several redacted names being identified by lawmakers examining the unredacted material. Being named in the files is not evidence of criminal activity.

British International Investment said that it had paused new investments with DP World: "We are shocked by the allegations emerging in the Epstein files regarding Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

"In light of the allegations, we will not be making any new investments with DP World until the required actions have been taken by the company." BII invests alongside DP World in four ports in Africa.

Canada's second‑largest pension fund have suspended new investments with DP World after newly released files linking Epstein and the CEO of the Dubai-based ports operator.

Canadian pension fund La Caisse said in a statement it was "pausing additional capital deployment alongside the company" until DP World clarified the situation and took "the necessary actions".

Bin Sulayem, a prominent Emirati businessman, has led DP World for decades and overseen its expansion into a global operator of ports and logistics hubs.

The newly released files include emails and text messages that appear to show discussions between the two men about business, conversations about sex and plans to visit Epstein's Caribbean island, as well as photographs of the pair together, apparently socialising.

McLaren media have been contacted by GRANDPRIX247 for comment on this report.

 (Reporting by Sam Tabahriti in London and Nazih Osseiran in Beirut; Additional reporting by Nivedita Balu)