Budweiser extends Williams sponsorship

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team today confirmed that after a successful debut season, team sponsor Budweiser has extended its commercial relationship for the forthcoming season, and the "Bud King of Beers" identity will be more extensively visible on team assets.

The Budweiser identity will appear not only on the airbox of the FW26, but also on the monocoque tops and on the driver gloves of Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher.

Budweiser joined the team sponsor community at the British Grand Prix in July 2003. Tony Ponturo vice president, global media and sports marketing, Anheuser- Busch, Inc., reflected, "Our first season in Formula One has been a great experience, and the BMW WilliamsF1 Team continues to be a valuable partner for Budweiser. The brand's increased visibility on the cars and driver's gloves will reach even more adult beer drinkers this season through Formula One's worldwide viewing audience of more than 350 million."

Frank Williams, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team Principal said, "I am truly delighted that such a ubiquitous and global brand will be gracing the team with an extended partnership agreement. The Budweiser brand is consistent with some of the world's greatest sporting events and teams, and it is a great privilege for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team to carry its identity."

Budweiser is also making extensive use of its sponsorship with the announcement of the 25 winners of the "True Racing" promotion in March. Winners will be invited to contest a simulator race off in the WilliamsF1 Conference Centre to compete for 25 trips of a lifetime to international Grands Prix in Australia, Malaysia, China, Japan, the US, Spain, Italy, Monaco & the UK.

Budweiser sponsors a variety of motorsports teams, and in the past 14 years, Bud Racing teams have produced 36 national and world championships. Budweiser was an associate sponsor during Montoya's Indianapolis 500 victory in 2000, when he became the first rookie to win the event since 1966. In addition, the brand serves as "official beer" sponsor of the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr.

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