SANTANDER TO CONTINUE MCLAREN DEAL

"We are extremely pleased to have extended our hugely successful global Partnership with Santander," said McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh.

"As one of the world’s leading banks with a significant presence in Europe, Brazil, Mexico, Chile and the United States and other countries, Santander is a great ‘fit’ with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and our triumphs on the global stage of Formula 1."said McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh.

MERCEDES SET TO BUY SHARES IN BRAWN

Mercedes-Benz is set to take a shareholding in Brawn GP in addition to supplying the world championship-leading team with its engines, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph."Mercedes-Benz's engine supply contract with McLaren is a very long-standing one – it's in its 15th consecutive year, in fact – and it will continue to run for many years to come," said the spokesman.
"However, we're supportive of our partner's plans regarding engine supply of other teams in Formula 1, and we were delighted earlier this year that a Mercedes-Benz engine supply deal was able to be done with Brawn, thereby saving that team from likely extinction.
"Both McLaren and Mercedes-Benz remain extremely satisfied with our Formula 1 collaboration, which has netted three drivers' world championships and one constructors' world championship as well as dozens of grand prix victories."
Mercedes-Benz's parent company Daimler is McLaren's largest shareholder, with a 40% stake in the team.