Coca-Cola sponsors Lotus with energy drink brand

(GMM) Lotus has ended a long period of speculation by announcing that Coca-Cola is entering formula one as a sponsor.

It had been rumored that McLaren could secure the deal, but in fact Lotus said Coca-Cola, the iconic soft drinks brand, will place the logo of its Swedish energy drink Burn on its 2013 car.

Like reigning world champion Red Bull's market-leading drink, Burn is a high sugar, high caffeine energy drink involved in extreme sports marketing including snowboarding, skiing and skateboarding.

"We are proud that The Coca-Cola Company has chosen Lotus as the best vehicle to represent the Burn brand in its most high profile partnership," said team boss Eric Boullier.

Lotus F1 Team ignites new partnership with burn; the COCA-COLA Company returns to Formula 1