Mercedes F1 Cuts Ties With Sponsors Kingspan After Week-Long Partnership

Just a week after announcing Kingspan as a sponsor for Lewis Hamilton’s car, Mercedes have pulled the plug on the partnership. The German team came under heavy criticism from many people for their association with the company. This is because Kingspan was allegedly partly responsible for the Grenfell tower fire.

The Silver Arrows posted a statement on their Twitter that announced the deal has ended effectively. The statement reads, “The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and Kingspan today announced that they have mutually agreed to end their partnership.”

“Announced last week, the new partnership included Kingspan chairing a new Sustainability Working Group for the team, and aimed to deliver carbon reductions through their leading-edge environmentally sustainable solutions for the team’s future campus.”

“However, both parties have subsequently concluded that it is not appropriate for the partnership to move forward at the current point in time, notwithstanding its intended positive impact, and we have therefore agreed that it will be discontinued with immediate effect.”

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff had also apologised recently

Team Principal Toto Wolff had also issued a public statement a few days ago, in which he apologised to the survivors and victims of Grenfell. Wolff described the tragedy to be ‘beyond imaginable’ and something that should never have happened.

He said, “On behalf of our team, I would sincerely like to apologise to you for the additional hurt that this announcement has caused. It was never our intention to do so.”

“I know that this does not change in any way the awful tragedy you suffered, or the deep and ongoing pain felt in your community, and I would like to thank Grenfell United for the offer to meet in person for me to learn and understand better.”

We all know that sponsorships and money play a big role in this sport. But the source of the money and the goodwill of the sponsor is equally important. What Mercedes has done sets a precedent, one that proves that teams in F1 and F1 itself have their ears open to what fans say.

What do you make of the decision by Mercedes and Kingspan to end their partnership?

Also Read: Expensive Emotions: How Much Do the Mercedes F1 Bose Headphones Worn by Toto Wolff Cost?