Formula One motor-racing team McLaren-Honda has entered into a 10-year partnership with luxury watchmaker Richard Mille.
The deal is effective immediately and will run until the end of the 2025 Formula One season. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
As part of the deal, the Swiss watchmaker’s branding will appear on McLaren’s newly-designed MP4-31 car. Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button, the team’s drivers, will wear Richard Mille watches to promote the partnership, while a series of McLaren-branded designs will also be developed.
Richard Mille, chairman and chief executive of Richard Mille Horometrie, said: “The chance to partner with McLaren is particularly timely: we’ve been evaluating Formula One on a restricted basis for several years, but this opportunity has enabled us to engage in a deeper, more meaningful way, with proper focus and effort directed on a major team.”
Richard Mille replaces Swiss brand Tag Heuer as McLaren’s watch partner. Tag Heuer’s 30-year association with the team ended last year and it has since agreed a deal with rival team Red Bull Racing. Richard Mille previously sponsored Lotus.