Finnish sponsor follows Bottas to Mercedes

Finnish conglomerate the Wihuri Group has agreed a sponsorship deal with Formula One motor-racing team Mercedes.

Wihuri will serve as an official team partner of Mercedes. The length of the agreement was not disclosed but the deal will at least cover the 2017 F1 season.

The announcement comes after Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas last week joined Mercedes from Williams. Wihuri has backed Bottas (pictured) throughout his career and the company’s branding featured on the 27-year-old’s car during his time at Williams.

As part of its agreement with Mercedes, Wihuri’s logo will appear on the race suits and helmets of Bottas and his new team-mate, Lewis Hamilton. At certain races, the logo of Wihuri’s packaging division, Wipak, will be used on the drivers’ helmets instead.

Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, said: “As a respected brand both in Finland and globally, Wihuri will be a valuable addition to our team and we look forward to working with them and helping to expand their Formula One experience.”