Toyota Motorsport announces partnership with Kingfisher Airlines

New Delhi, Jan 14 (UNI) Kingfisher Airlines has announced that it had inked a multi-year partnership deal with Toyota Motorsport GmbH to be an official partner of the Toyota F1 Racing team.

With the signing of this deal, Kingfisher Airlines enters the high-profile Formula 1 circuit and will be designated as official partner for the Toyota Racing Team of the Cologne-based Toyota Motorsport GmbH.

Rated as one of corporate India's biggest overseas brand partnerships, the deal will initially be for a period of two years commencing with the 2007 racing season.

The deal also marks the largest sports partnership programme so far for the 21-month-old Kingisher Airlines. This partnerhsip also marks the first time ever that an airline based out of India has partnered on this scale with anyone in the F1 circuit worldwide.

The deal was inked just ahead of the official unveiling of Toyota's long-awaited 2007 challenger, the TF 107 at Cologne's Expo XXI exhibition grounds, in the team's home town. Drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli were both present at the unveiling of the car.

The announcement was made by Kingfisher Airlines CEO Vijay Mallya and Toyota Motorsport president John Howett.

Starting from the next Grand Prix, the distinctive Fly Kingfisher insignia-one of the most recognisable brands in India and the world, will feature prominently on the TF107 Formula 1 racing cars at race events across the globe.

The Fly Kingfisher insignia will also appear on the drivers' helmets and overalls, as well as all corporate branding platforms.

UNI