Spanish beer brand Estrella Galicia 0.0 has returned as McLaren’s official beer partner after sponsoring Ferrari for three years.
McLaren has welcomed Estrella Galicia 0,0 as a returning sponsor for their 2024 Formula 1 campaign after originally sponsoring the team in 2019 and 2021 as the Woking-based outfit snatched the beer brand away from the hands of rivals Ferrari.
Meanwhile, the leading Italian non-alcoholic brand Peroni, which partnered with Aston Martin for three seasons, will be taking over as the new sponsor for the Maranello team in a shocking turn of events.
Owned by brewer Hijos de Rivera, Estrella Galicia has served as Carlos Sainz’s personal sponsor since the Spanish driver’s 2015 Formula 1 debut. However, the company recently parted ways with the Ferrari driver to establish itself as a major team sponsor at McLaren.
The company marked its entry into the sport with Toro Rosso in 2015 and later increased its participation with car branding the following season. Later on, it followed Sainz as he switched teams, spending the latter part of 2017 with Renault and the subsequent year with McLaren.
The company later moved with him to Ferrari in 2021 and remained as part of the Italian team over the last three years, during which Sainz won two races.
However, Ferrari announced to the financial press in January of last year that it had reached an agreement with Asahi Europe and International Ltd. for a multi-year contract beginning in 2024. At the time, the company failed to disclose which of its non-alcoholic brands it would promote, with Peroni continuing to be engaged with Aston Martin.
Since the news made it clear that it would not be able to maintain a relationship with Ferrari or even Sainz past the previous campaign, Estrella Galicia had to go elsewhere if it wished to remain in F1. Eventually, McLaren was the preferred destination.
“We’re thrilled to have Estrella Galicia back racing with us as official beer partner,” McLaren boss Zak Brown said. “With a great tradition within F1, Estrella Galicia is a brand that matches our energy for innovation.
“We’re excited to have them alongside us once more as we go into the new season.”
Estrella Galicia chief marketing officer Jose Cabanas added: “As part of our internationalisation process having great partners alongside you is a key factor for success.
“McLaren Racing and Estrella Galicia not only share common values such as authenticity, craftmanship, and innovation but also a strong spirit of differentiation and a non-conformist attitude in everything they do.
“We are thrilled to start a new chapter in our F1 journey in papaya colours and I’m sure that we will have great things to toast for during the season.”
Estrella Galicia’s branding will be featured on the McLaren F1 car in 2024 as well as on race drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s overalls and team kits.
