Community-driven hospitality company Airbnb has signed its latest commercial deal in the sports market by agreeing a partnership with the Manor Marussia Formula One motor racing team.
The agreement has been signed ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal and is effective for the remainder of the 2015 F1 season. Airbnb becomes one of Manor’s first major sponsors and as a ‘challenger partner’ receives branding on the team’s MR03B cars, on the drivers’ race suits and across other team media.
The two parties said that the global exposure that Manor Marussia provides to motorsport fans will generate increased awareness of travel accommodations available through Airbnb, particularly among F1 fans who routinely travel abroad to attend races.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, team owner of Manor Marussia, said: “The Manor Marussia F1 team is effectively a start-up. Of course, Formula One is an unusual start-up environment to operate in, but our challenges are the same as many other early stage technology companies. Airbnb is a phenomenal success story of a company that has completely reinvented an industry.
“We are two like-minded brands who are committed to innovation and discovery and have ambitions to positively and proactively impact our respective industries.”
The future of the team was uncertain throughout the winter before a rescue package was confirmed in March. Northern Irish businessman Fitzpatrick was confirmed as the principal investor, and effective owner, of the new-look Manor Marussia. Manor, which operated under the Marussia name in F1 in 2014, ceased trading in November after missing the final three races of the season.