Ferrari, one of the traditional powerhouses of motor racing’s Formula 1 (F1) series, has paused its partnership with Russian software manufacturer Kaspersky as the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to echo through the sporting world, it has been reported.
A Ferrari spokesman told news outlet Reuters a joint decision by the two companies had been made to pause the partnership “for the time being”, with the logo of Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab removed from its F1 cars, drivers’ helmets and suits, and online platforms.
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The two parties have been long-term partners since 2010 and have renewed their partnership twice since then – in 2015 and most recently last December.
The latest multi-year agreement included the two Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc wearing Kaspersky’s logo and branding on both their clothing and helmets, while the logo also appeared on the official team outfits worn by all Ferrari staff.
Kaspersky was also named as a team supplier of antivirus software.
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The overall relationship between the two was further strengthened by Ferrari’s esports team taking Kaspersky on board as an official partner.
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By GlobalDataF1 has taken some of the strictest measures in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, including terminating its contract for the Russian Grand Prix for the foreseeable future.
Last week, the series also terminated its contract with Russian state sports broadcaster Match TV and withdrew access to its subscription series in the country, giving Russians no official way to watch F1 in the country.
Match TV had extended its deal to show F1 in the country until the end of the 2023 season back in 2020.
Haas, the series’ US-based team, meanwhile, terminated its contracts with its title sponsor Uralkali, the Russian potash fertilizer firm, and Russian driver Nikita Mazepin over the fallout.
Meanwhile, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team has announced a new partnership with the newly formed engineering and IT company Akkodis.
Under the partnership, Akkodis, which specializes in engineering research and development, becomes an official team partner and will supply the team with expertise and technology to boost its innovation and performance as it looks to become carbon neutral.
Akkodis’ branding will also feature on the team’s car for the 2022 season.
Akkodis is the newly combined company of engineering and technology consulting group AKKA and international IT solutions company Modis – sponsors of electric motor racing series Formula E.
The collaboration builds on Modi’s current partnership with Mercedes’ Formula E team that began in 2020. Since then, the two parties have developed data analytics software that allows the team to generate more insight from their data to boost performance.
Elsewhere, UK-based Williams Racing has brought in luxury audio company Bang & Olufsen as its latest official team partner in a new multi-year agreement.
The deal will see Bang & Olufsen branding feature across the Williams F1 car starting from this season.
The two parties will also work together to create immersive and multi-sensory customer and fan experiences across Bang & Olufsen branded stores, at Williams Racing facilities at various Grands Prix, and at the Williams headquarters in Grove, Oxfordshire.
Kristian Teär, Bang & Olufsen chief executive, said: “We share Williams’ passion for excellence, performance, and the desire to create only the best, and together we can provide some extraordinary experiences to fans and customers.
“It is a key strategic priority for us to increase our brand awareness, and with this partnership we will be able to reach even more global consumers from this weekend, and in the year to come.”
