[Team] Sauber to be sponsored by Chelsea FC

[Marbot]

Yes, you read that right!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99268

Could more F1 teams also be attractive to other Soccer teams?

[ECW Dan Selby]

I think there's definitely a chance it could be a growing trend. I think it's pretty cool. Could at least end up giving us some more lively liveries!

Selby

[barnettracing]

So Sauber's colours are going to be white/gun-metal/red/blue. 'Lively'?

[JamesH]

Norwich City sponsoring Lotus perhaps?

[Marbot]

Woking FC sponsoring McLaren? err....perhaps not.

Will the Chelsea players now have Sauber logos on their shirts?

Will Real Madrid sponsor HRT?

All good questions.

[White flag man]

Red Bull sponsored by Milton Keynes Dons. F1 could turn into Superleague!

[Marbot]

Let's not forget that Chelsea FC are also known affectionately (by other teams fans) as 'Chelsky', so there's a distinctly 'Russian' flavouring to this.

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by JamesH

Norwich City sponsoring Lotus perhaps?

With Delia screaming at Kimi as he lags behind "LETS BE HAVIN' YOU!"

[ECW Dan Selby]

Originally Posted by nicanary

With Delia screaming at Kimi as he lags behind "LETS BE HAVIN' YOU!"

I would like to hear this team radio.

Selby

[Marbot]

I would like to hear Kimi replying: I've thrown up in my helmet....must have been something I ate?

I think most people on the forum haven't got a clue what we're on about.

[Pingguest]

I do not understand why Chelsea would sponsor a Formula 1 team.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Pingguest

I do not understand why Chelsea would sponsor a Formula 1 team.

Chelsea FC is owned by a Russian billionaire (Roman Abramovich), and there might just happen to be a Russian GP on the calendar in the not too distant future.

[ECW Dan Selby]

Originally Posted by barnettracing

So Sauber's colours are going to be white/gun-metal/red/blue. 'Lively'?

Anything's better than the blandness we got now..

Selby

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by Marbot

Chelsea FC is owned by a Russian billionaire (Roman Abramovich), and there might just happen to be a Russian GP on the calendar in the not too distant future.

So?

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Pingguest

So?

Perhaps the Russian billionaire would be interested in more than just sponsoring the team in the not too distant future? He may even want to put a certain Russian driver in his car (assuming that we will still have 'drivers' in F1 cars)?

[spider]

Originally Posted by Marbot

Chelsea FC is owned by a Russian billionaire (Roman Abramovich), and there might just happen to be a Russian GP on the calendar in the not too distant future.

Yep - and with the Premiership, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and circa 20 rounds of F1 on a team that gets a fair amount of air time due to their strategy of 1 or 2 stopping normally meaning Perez or Kobayashi are up at the front for at least one part of the race - that's a hell of a sponsorship package you can offer a potential client if it's spread over both platforms.

Obviously the Chelski/Russian link with the imminent GP, it's a very sensible marketing move all-round.

Sauber's neutral (bland) image makes them perfect too - as they don't really stand for anything, unlike a Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren etc, thus there's no sponsor that wouldn't be attracted too them - unlike the others, who's brand values would be a turn-off/on to specific businesses...

[barnettracing]

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

Anything's better than the blandness we got now..

Selby

Really? I point you in the direction of Jason Plato's MG6. To be fair. Of all the Premier League clubs, Chelsea love to throw their cash around thanks to Mr Abramovich.

My problem is that I really like Sauber but, as a Fulham fan, I now have a bit of a clash of interests haha.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by barnettracing

My problem is that I really like Sauber but, as a Fulham fan, I now have a bit of a clash of interests haha.

This is exactly the problem. Soccer is so tribal that sponsorship by a club automatically alienates everyone whose not a fan of that club

[ECW Dan Selby]

Originally Posted by barnettracing

Really? I point you in the direction of Jason Plato's MG6. To be fair. Of all the Premier League clubs, Chelsea love to throw their cash around thanks to Mr Abramovich.

I like that livery...

Selby

[barnettracing]

Originally Posted by davyboy

This is exactly the problem. Soccer is so tribal that sponsorship by a club automatically alienates everyone whose not a fan of that club

Indeed. The number of times I have oogled at Samsung electronics only to buy something else as they are still a sponsor of the dreaded Chelsky .

Selby, I think you need your eyes tested mate!

[ECW Dan Selby]

Either those, or my brain...

Selby

[vincegail]

I liked the Newcastle United Lister Storm in endurance racing! But Sauber backed by a russian mobster? There goes a little bit of the sympathy I have/had for the Sauber team!

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by vincegail

I liked the Newcastle United Lister Storm in endurance racing! But Sauber backed by a russian mobster? There goes a little bit of the sympathy I have/had for the Sauber team!

Mobster?!! I hope you like the feel of an umbrella tip in your thigh.

Oligarch, sir, oligarch.

[vincegail]

Yes, thank you for pointing that out!
I somehow always get those two mixed up!

[Paradise City]

Peter Sauber's son works for Chelsea. That's where the link-up started. I don't see the point of it myself but maybe there's a hidden 'synergy' there somewhere. Maybe Slim and Abramovich will now link-up in a devilish alliance to take-over the world. Or something.