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Renault F1 welcomes Flagman vodka

For the remaining four rounds of the 2010 season

By Franck Drui

7 October 2010 - 13:01

Renault F1 announced a new partnership agreement with Flagman vodka for the remaining four rounds of the 2010 season, beginning with this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka.

Since its launch in 1998, Flagman has established itself among the leading vodka brands on the Russian market, with sales of over three million cases.

The arrival in F1 of Russia’s first driver, Vitaly Petrov, presents a unique opportunity to enhance the Flagman brand within its domestic market, linking its values of quality and reliability to the premium positioning of Formula 1, and to a new Russian sporting star.

Furthermore, the new agreement will play an important role in enhancing Flagman’s stature as a leading export product, providing a strong platform for building awareness of Flagman vodka outside Russia.

Renault F1 Team Chairman Gerard Lopez commented:

“We are delighted to welcome Flagman vodka to the Renault F1 Team for the remaining races of the 2010 season. We have worked hard this year to develop new relationships in Russia, and we are pleased to see this effort bearing fruit.

“However, the cornerstone of any successful commercial strategy is a successful driver, and the potential Vitaly has shown during his rookie season has done much of the talking for us. We look forward to a very successful partnership with Flagman in the final stages of 2010.”

Svetlana Savchenko, CEO of Interrepublic Winery Trading House Ltd, the parent company of Flagman vodka, continued:

“We are delighted to become an official partner of the Renault F1 Team. Flagman is the leading private commercial vodka brand in the former Soviet Union, and has been present on the Russian and international markets for more then 12 years.

“For 2010, Flagman was rebranded as ‘The New Leader of the New Russia’, with the dynamic brand motto ‘You can!’, which expresses the Russian people’s faith in their own abilities, even to become a Formula 1 driver.

“This new image, and our new partnership with the Renault F1 Team, will ensure a growth in status for quality Russian vodka around the world.”

Branding from Flagman Vodka will appear on the nose tip and pod-vanes of the Renault F1 Team R30 from this weekend in Suzuka. The Flagman logo will also feature on Vitaly Petrov’s driver overalls.

About Flagman vodka

The Russian word “Флагман” means flag-captain or flagship. Created in 1998, “Flagman” had a strong link to the traditions of the glorious Russian Navy and became one of the leading world Russian vodka brands on domestic and international markets with sales over three million cases. Now, the new concept of “Flagman” symbolizes the positive achievements and the changing image of Russia worldwide.