Ferrari Sign 5-Year Deal with Santander

Ferrari has yesterday confirmed that they have inked a 5-year partnership with Grupo Santander in Formula One. Less than 24 hours before the official start of the Italian Grand Prix, at Monza, the media was especially called by the Maranello based team to find out about the news, therefore put an end to all the rumoring around the signing of their new sponsor.

“Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with the Santander Bank, which, as from 2010, will become of the team's most important sponsors. The agreement, which is for a five year period, will see the Santander logo and branding on the cars, the drivers' overalls and on the team kit,” said a press release by Ferrari.

Company's CEO Luca di Montezemolo personally announced the new deal, as he noted Santander will be one of Ferrari's most important partners in the years to come.

“We are very happy to have a new partner like Santander, with whom we are beginning a very important and long term collaboration,” said the Italian boss.

“We share common values, such as striving for excellence, a passion for competition, an international approach and, last but by no means least, the colour red. These values will make this a fruitful partnership, noteworthy around the world,” added Di Montezemolo.

However, the Italian president mentioned nothing about an alleged signing of Fernando Alonso for the upcoming season – as intensively rumored in the media lately – insisting that Santander's partnership doesn't mean they'll be able to impose the Spaniard into the Ferrari lineup in 2010.

Santander has just ended a 3-year partnership with McLaren Mercedes. The reason they chose the Woking based team 3 years ago was Alonso switching from Renault to McLaren. However, the Spaniard left Woking due to differences with team's boss Ron Dennis and has been “chased” by Santander ever since.