McLaren loses long-time sponsor

No more Schuco for McLaren Team

(GMM) McLaren has lost a long-time sponsor of its formula one team, in the form of window and solar company Schuco.

For years, the Schuco logo appeared on the overalls and rear wing endplates of the Mercedes-powered cars.

But the name is missing from this year's newly launched MP4-24, and the German language newspaper Neue Westfalische revealed that it is because Schuco did not renew its contract beyond 2008.

McLaren and Schuco first teamed up in 1999.

"The formula one (sponsorship) was very good for us," said Schuco spokesman Thomas Lauritzen, denying that the global financial crisis is the reason for the split.