Photo Credit: Sauber Motorsport AG
Sauber have today anonunced a new and innovative partnership with Chelsea Football Club.
At the last two grand prix, the Hinwil-based team had the inscriptions “Out of the Blue” and “True Blue” on the engine covers of the C31, and now the alliance between Formula 1 and association football is official.
At the next race in Spain, the Saubers of Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez will sport the Chelsea logo and, as part of the partnership, the Sauber logo will also be seen on pitch-side advertising at Stamford Bridge.
“A partnership like this between Formula One and Football has never existed before in this form, yet there are numerous commonalities and possible synergies,” explained Monisha Kaltenborn, Sauber CEO. “In either case we are talking about team sport at the highest – and international – level.
“The Sauber F1 Team and Chelsea FC are dealing with many of the same sporting and commercial topics and we want to strengthen each other in these areas. We are looking forward to exploiting these opportunities, and we congratulate Chelsea on making it to the final of the Champions League.”
Chelsea Chief Executive Ron Gourlay explained why the football club, who had twelve F1 teams from which to choose a partner, selected Sauber.
“This is an innovative partnership that will see a football club link up with a Formula 1 team like never before, bringing together two of the world's biggest sports and uniting our fans,” he said. “We felt that this Swiss team, the fourth oldest of the existing teams, reflects our own ideals perfectly.
“In a year when Chelsea celebrates 20 seasons as a Premier League team, Sauber does so as a Formula 1 team. We share many philosophies when it comes to how the respective organisations are run, from the development of young talent to constantly striving for success.
“Sauber’s philosophy towards grassroots development has produced some of the best drivers in F1, which mirrors our dedication to develop promising young football talent through our Academy.
“This partnership will benefit us both greatly, with the potential to create unique commercial opportunities. It is a shared vision to unite the two most attractive sports in the world. We look forward to working closely with the Sauber F1 Team and wish them the very best of luck for the remainder of the Formula 1 season.”
