As a result, the team will be rebranded as the Carlos Fandango Satsuma Racing Horse Formula 1 team. Alright, alright, the last statement may not be a reality, but based on current events and rumors circulating in the F1 paddock, it’s not completely outlandish.
Colin Chapman must be rolling in his grave. Not only was he an engineering pioneer, but he was also the first to sell naming rights to a non-automotive sponsor – Imperial Tobacco.
In 1968, his cars sported the cream red and gold colors of the cigarette brand and competed under the name Gold Leaf Team Lotus. This opened up a new revenue stream for F1 teams in an increasingly expensive endeavor.
Initially, this arrangement worked well for everyone involved. The products gained exposure and became synonymous with the world of F1 as fans began mentioning them alongside team names.
However, the marketing experts seem to have overthought things, considering the recent influx of incomprehensible team names entering the F1 scene. What they seem to have forgotten is that, except for Germans, most people have a tendency to shorten long names, typically using acronyms.
The Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team is already being referred to as the anonymous VCARB team or VCARBS (a name that uncomfortably resembles a derogatory term). While there is currently a lot of attention on them, it’s not in a positive way. Being associated with “stupid” is not in line with most product brands.
I have no issue with innovation or the individuals who come up with these ideas. For instance, McLaren’s LED branding that changes throughout the race is brilliant. However, this team naming business is simply lazy and doesn’t bring any benefits to the sponsor. Note to the marketing department: go back and try again.
Hamilton’s move has also given rise to an increase in F1 “clickbait”. This is primarily because what was once an almost unbelievable story has now turned out to be true. Far-fetched ideas like Max Verstappen joining Mercedes are now circulating.
I’m sure Toto Wolff would welcome the young Dutch Champion, a guaranteed winner. However, he probably wouldn’t want his father, who is a guaranteed problem. Since they seem to come as a package deal these days, this is a partnership that won’t be happening.
A more plausible scenario could involve Fernando Alonso. As one of the only three Formula 1 World Champions currently racing, his contract is set to expire at the end of 2024. Whether this possibility materializes or not will heavily depend on the performances of Mercedes and Aston Martin throughout this year.
However, a more realistic suggestion would be either Alex Albon or Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes’ talented young driver. The latter’s chances will be determined by his ability to dominate the competition in F2, as he has consistently done in previous categories.
Albon has managed to recover from the challenges he faced during his time at Red Bull, proving the potential he had shown earlier in his career at Williams.
This is evident in Helmut Marko’s unexpected attempt to reestablish their connection. It is advice to the young British driver to be cautious of accepting this invitation, as history has taught us to be wary of seemingly generous gestures.
While Albon would undoubtedly thrive at Mercedes, returning to the management of the renowned Dr. Marko would be a repetitive cycle. Additionally, there appear to be significant issues in Milton Keynes at the moment, but that is a separate story altogether.
According to the Source grandprix247.com