Zoom Lenovo expected to move on from Williams

Chinese computer maker Lenovo is expected to switch its F1 sponsorship from Williams to McLaren ahead of the 2009 season.

The company had prominent branding on the liveries of the last two Toyota-powered Williams single seaters.

The switch to McLaren, whose Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 world championship, is expected to be confirmed imminently.

It is believed that, while involving a similar amount of money, the new deal may not include any branding on McLaren's Mercedes-powered cars.

The Beijing headquartered company is expected to also advertise trackside in 2009.

The news is a blow for Williams, who were expecting to see another sponsor, Petrobras, switch to the Honda team next year.

In a statement on Monday, however, the Oxfordshire based team said it has extended its sponsorship deal with the Swiss watch maker Oris, and retains the backing of title sponsor AT&T as well as Philips, Allianz and Accenture.

The future of other key deals, however, remains in doubt, as RBS and the Icelandic group Baugur struggle amid the global financial crisis.

Source: GMM
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