Vodafone to end McLaren sponsorship by end of 2013 season  

Mobile giant Vodafone has reviewed its global sponsorship strategy and have decided to quit sponsorship from F1 with McLaren. Vodafone became title sponsors of McLaren from 2007 and also achieved a world title with Lewis Hamilton in 2008. Later on the McLaren team couldn´t achieve dersired results due to various reasons and the lastest was the exit of star driver Hamilton from the team.

Economic crisis and other issues within F1 like escalating costs of operation and the Bahrain issue are also reasons considered for Vodafone´s exit. This also raises concerns over the state of underperforming teams in F1.

Mexican Telecom Giant Telmex, Emirates and Rolex are rumoured to be in line for McLaren´s sponsors in 2014. 

Vodafone Group Chief Commercial Officer Morten Lundal said: "We have been very happy with our engagement with McLaren. Our relationship has been a key ingredient in bringing the Vodafone brand to where it is today. However, our brand is evolving, and we´ve concluded we will have less of a need for this kind of exposure in future. We now look forward to further success and brand engagement with McLaren in 2013."