Renault F1 teams gets Russian boost

The RenaultF1 team has received a commercial boost with the news that Russian mobile phone operator MegaFon, a partner of the team since June, is to expand its sponsorship of the team for the last two races of the 2009 Formula One season.

The company has taken advantage of the team losing title sponsor ING and Spanish insurer Mutua Madrilena in the wake of the 'crashgate' scandal, which saw team principal Flavio Briatore and engineering director Pat Symonds leave the team in disgrace. MegaFon, a major sponsor of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, will have increased branding for the races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi over the next three weeks. Its logos will appear on the floor and nose areas of the car.

Andrey Krajnik, assistant of the general director of MegaFon, said: "The team has emerged from its recent difficulties, and we look forward to continuing our cooperation with the Renault F1 Team.

"We are completely happy with our mutual relations with the team's existing management, and they enjoy our full support. After all, the Renault F1 Team in Russia has millions of admirers and Formula 1 enjoys a television audience much higher than many competitive sports we have available to follow.

He added: "Formula One represents the pinnacle of sport and technology which is perfectly in line with MegaFon's communication priorities."

There is believed to be no financial increase on the original terms of the deal the company struck with Renault in June.