McLaren announces new partnership with Chandon - MotorSportsTalk

McLaren Honda has gone this year without a title sponsor, but has alleviated that a bit with the announcement of Chandon on Wednesday as an official partner.

Chandon, a sparking wine brand under the Moët Hennessy umbrella, will adorn the cars on the side of the chassis behind the front tires and ahead of the sidepods. It takes the place of where Johnnie Walker had been present this year.

It’s been announced as a long-term partnership, as well.

“The McLaren Honda Formula 1 Team’s story is characterized by human endeavour, filled with heroic champions who have stood on sport’s global stage. This is a team that seizes the moment and remains open to new challenges,” Christophe Navarre, Chairman and CEO of Moët Hennessy, said in a release.

“Chandon couldn’t be happier to partner with the McLaren Honda Formula 1 Team. This is a rich new occasion to bring our fans together around the world, and to enjoy the depth of this connection.”

McLaren-Honda announces exciting new partnership with Chandon at official MTC launch today: http://t.co/2EIOh4qWiF pic.twitter.com/3gaeCmsNt6

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 30, 2015

Added Ron Dennis, McLaren Technology Group Chairman and CEO, in the same release: “It is extremely exciting that Moët Hennessy has chosen to join with the McLaren Honda team through Chandon to form a unique, long-term partnership.

“The fit between Chandon and McLaren Honda is a natural one with both sharing a passion to innovate in whatever we do, combined with a unique style and approach. It is a great privilege for everyone at McLaren Honda to partner with Chandon, one of the iconic brands in the prestigious Moët Hennessy portfolio.”

Cynically, one could suggest, this is a way for McLaren to be able to feasibly sip champagne in the midst of one of its worst seasons on record.

The team has scored just 17 points this season and ranks ninth in the Constructor’s Championship, with a best finish of fifth in Hungary.

The team’s last win came in 2012, when Jenson Button won the Brazilian Grand Prix season finale.

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Ryan Hunter-Reay was named to replace Conor Daly in Ed Carpenter Racing’s No. 20 Dallara-Chevrolet, starting in the NTT IndyCar Series event next week at Road America.

Hunter-Reay is the 2012 series champion and 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner. He finished 11th for Dreyer & Reinbold last month in the 107th Indy 500, his first start since the 2021 season finale. He drove full time for Andretti Autosport from 2010-21.

“We need to improve our competitiveness and I wanted to add a fresh perspective from a driver like Ryan who has a massive amount of experience and success as well as a reputation as a team leader. I am excited to welcome Ryan to the team,” team owner Ed Carpenter said in a team release. “We have worked together in the past as teammates and he tested for ECR at Barber Motorsports Park in October 2021, where he made an immediate impact as we were able to qualify one of our cars on the pole following that test. I am confident that his experience and technical abilities will be an asset to ECR as we move forward toward our goals as a team.”

Hunter-Reay has 18 IndyCar victories, most recently in 2018. He also is a winner in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, having been a part of winning entries in the 2020 Twelve Hours of Sebring and 2018 Petit Le Mans. Last year, he was an endurance driver for Cadillac Racing while being on standby for Chip Ganassi Racing.

He replaces Daly, whose departure was announced a day earlier in what the driver and team said was a mutual decision.

“I was surprised when I got the call from Ed,” Hunter-Reay said in a team release. “He described how frustrated he was that his team has not been able to realize its potential despite their efforts, investments, as well as technical and personnel changes over the past few years and asked for my help. Ed and I are very close friends and have been for a long time. I’ve worked with the team in the past and they are a very talented group with high expectations and a committed partner in BITNILE.COM.

“This will certainly be a challenge for me as well. It’s a tough situation jumping in a car in the middle of the season without any testing in what I believe to be the most competitive series in the world. Certainly, part of my motivation in saying ‘yes’ to Ed is the great challenge ahead. The last time I turned right driving an NTT IndyCar Series car was in October of 2021 with this team at Barber. However, I remain very confident in both my driving and technical abilities and believe by working with the talented people at ECR and Team Chevy, while representing BITNILE.COM, we will make progress. I am going to do everything I can do to help the team achieve its long-term objectives.”

Said Milton “Todd” Ault, the chairman of sponsor BitNile.com: “It is great for BitNile.com to be aligned with an Indy 500 Winner and an NTT IndyCar Series champion. I have followed Ryan’s career for years and I am confident he will challenge the entire ECR team to perform at higher levels. I wish everyone luck at Road America.”