Brown: New sponsors incoming at McLaren for 2020

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown says the Formula 1 team will have some new, additional sponsors on its car for the 2020 season, continuing its recent push.

McLaren has struck deals with a number of brands including Dell, Coca-Cola and British American Tobacco since Brown’s arrival, building an extensive sponsorship portfolio that has filled up much of the car - and will continue to do so in 2020.

Asked in Austin if there would be new sponsors joining McLaren next year, Brown said: “Yep.

“We hit our numbers this year on our sponsor projections. I anticipate us hitting them again next year.

“The car is gradually filling up, some great companies, but definitely we’ll have some great partners for next year, and everyone we have is staying.”

One of McLaren’s sponsors, Huski Chocolate, struck a deal with Alfa Romeo for the United States Grand Prix last weekend. The team ran with Huski Chocolate branding on the side of its car.

But Brown said this had no bearing at all on McLaren’s long-term agreement with Huski Chocolate, which has enjoyed branding on the rear wing of the McLaren MCL34 this year.

“We’ve got a long term contract. [Alfa Romeo team co-owner] Finn Rausing and the owner of Huski are in the same country, and they do business together,” Brown said.

“There’s just an existing relationship that’s been there, and they’ve got a lot of people out here this weekend, so they just wanted some additional exposure.”

One brand McLaren will not be working with, however, is Rich Energy.

The former title sponsor of Haas sent some tweets mentioning McLaren ahead of the race in Austin, but Brown shot down any suggestion the two parties could work together.

“Not at all. The guy obviously likes to draw attention to himself,” Brown said.

“No, I haven’t spoken with him, won’t speak with him. I think that’s an attempt to get some publicity.”

Additional reporting by Julianne Cerasoli.