At the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri secured a McLaren 1-2 finish as he crossed the finish line in first place.
McLaren have announced a multi-year agreement with payments giant Mastercard, which has joined the team as a major sponsor ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.
McLaren are enjoying their most productive season in years in F1 2024, with the team winning two of the first 13 races to emerge as the closest threat to reigning World Champions Red Bull.
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After Lando Norris collected victory at the Miami Grand Prix in May, McLaren secured a one-two finish at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix as Norris’s team-mate Oscar Piastri secured his first F1 career win.
McLaren’s recent performance has positioned them as strong contenders for their first Constructors’ Championship victory since 1998. The team, based in Woking, is now only 51 points behind Red Bull, with 11 races left in the season.
McLaren has recently revealed that Mastercard will be joining their team as their newest blue-chip partner ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. The branding of the company is expected to become visible during the 2024 season.
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According to Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren, Mastercard is a remarkable brand that stands out with its instantly recognizable red and yellow logo, no matter where you are in the world.
“We are thrilled to have Mastercard join the McLaren Racing family as they share our unwavering dedication to providing fans with extraordinary experiences and the chance to truly belong to our expanding global racing community.”
Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard’s chief marketing and communications officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to consistently finding innovative ways to enhance customer and cardholder experience, delivering added value.
“Central to this is the idea of bringing individuals closer to what they are most passionate about, their true loves, with racing emerging as one of the most universally thrilling passions worldwide.”
We are delighted to collaborate with McLaren, a brand that is widely recognized for its association with racing – a thrilling, innovative, and purposeful endeavor. Through this partnership, we aim to merge our brands in a significant manner, resonating with fans worldwide.
McLaren recently received a boost before the Belgian Grand Prix as Mastercard’s arrival was announced. It is expected that Max Verstappen, the current leader of the Drivers’ Championship from Red Bull, will face a grid penalty.
The current three-time World Champion is expected to surpass his power unit component limit for the season at Spa, resulting in a 10-position penalty on the starting grid.
In both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Verstappen demonstrated his exceptional skills by triumphantly securing victory at Spa despite starting from 14th and sixth on the grid, respectively. As of now, Verstappen boasts an impressive 76-point advantage over Norris.
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