Mclaren Signs .com Partner.

McLaren yesterday announced that it was teaming up with software company SAP in a deal which will benefit both the Formula One outfit and its spin-off F3000 equipe.


The deal will primarily benefit the latter, as SAP's mySAP.com brand becomes title sponsor of the former West Competition team. The company's logos will appear on the side pods, rear wing and nose of the cars of Stephane Sarrazin and Tomas Enge in 2000, as well as featuring prominently on their overalls and helmets. As part of the agreement, however, the brand will also carry over into the F1 operation, with logos being carried by both double world champion Mika Hakkinen and team-mate David Coulthard.


SAP is a market leader in inter-enterprise software solutions, and aims to use its strength in the industry-focused business software arena to deliver the mySAP.com internet brand. The business-to-business software aims to allow companies of all sizes to harness the power of the internet to work both faster and smarter.


"SAP's partnership with the West McLaren Mercedes Team brings together two top league players," offered the company's co-chairman and CEO Hasso Plattner, "Moreover, we share a common trait, namely that both Formula One and the internet are about speed. The internet is increasingly driving processes between companies of all sizes to win the internet race by successfully turning their businesses into e-businesses."


"The new partnership with SAP - both with the F1 and the F3000 team - is a very exciting development," agreed McLaren boss Ron Dennis, "With the globalisation of corporations and the resulting need for efficient communication and collaboration, we are delighted to welcome such a leading business software player to the West McLaren Mercedes team."