TeamVodafone 2012 livery Photo credit: TeamVodafone
Defending V8 Supercar Drivers' and Teams' Champion, TeamVodafone has revealed the new livery scheme for the team's Holden Commodores it will run ahead of the upcoming V8 Supercars Championship series.
Naming rights again go to Vodafone, its sixth season as sponsor of TeamVodafone, which owns the enviable statistic of winning more than a third of the races contested during this period, including wins on every circuit visited during the V8 Supercar season.
“The TeamVodafone Commodores have taken on a dramatic new look for 2012 that will make it easy for fans to spot them anywhere on the track – no matter how fast they are travelling! The customary rocket red has been “metallisized” and is now dominating the scheme with chrome, black and carbon-fibre graphics finishing off the car's meticulous detail,” said Stephen Saunders, Head of Sponsorship and Events at Vodafone.
Excited to see what the team can achieve again this year, Saunders added: “As naming rights sponsor you simply can't get better than a 1-2 finish.
“In 2011, TeamVodafone was the one to watch and we brought customers and fans closer to the V8 action than ever before. 2012 will be no different and with the team going for back-to-back championships it's set to be a thrilling season.”
V8 Supercar Champion Jamie Whincup expressed his excitement about the prospect of a new season and said he looked forward to the series taking further steps overseas.
“V8 Supercars announced some fantastic developments for the sport last year, I think it’s a great thing we are starting a little later and I'm glad the first event has returned to Australia, as it's great to kick things off on home soil,” said Whincup.
“In saying that, I’m looking forward to heading back to Abu Dhabi for the Formula 1 race; it's definitely going to be one of my highlights of the season.”
The 28-year-old said the livery and driver suit updates were an exciting change for the new season.
“When you already have a strong product it’s hard to improve it, but I think the commercial team has done a great job this year, the cars look incredible and I can't wait to get behind the wheel this weekend.”
“We are running white suits this year, which I am stoked about. With the in-car temperatures reaching 60 degrees we are always looking for ways to stay as cool as possible and the difference between white and red is actually quite significant.”
Team-mate Craig Lowndes pushed Whincup all the way to the final race of the year, eventually losing out on his fourth V8 Supercars championship by just 35 points, is keen to get the new season underway.
“2011 was a great year for TeamVodafone and I certainly gave the Championship my best shot and was proud of my driving achievements throughout the season,” said Lowndes.
“I'm confident with the existing Holden Commodores and the TeamVodafone crew that we will now go into the 2012 season with fantastic momentum and then some! Expect to see that rocket red V8 Supercar looking like it's flying around the track not driving on it.”
TeamVodafone will also enter its third year contesting the championship with Holden. Holden Sponsorship Manager Simon McNamara saying the association had been “nothing short of outstanding.”
“In the two seasons Jamie and Craig have driven TeamVodafone Commodores the team has delivered countless race wins, a Bathurst 1000 victory, and last year's championship 1-2 in a record-breaking year for Holden,” McNamara said.
“We are extremely proud of our partnership with the team and excited about the season ahead. The change in appearance to the TeamVodafone Commodores is also quite dramatic, and the rocket red ensures they are even more unmistakably Holden.”
The new TeamVodafone livery can be seen on track for the first time at the V8 Supercars official pre-season test at the Sandown Raceway, in Melbourne on 11 February.
