Santander to end McLaren sponsorship

Santander looks likely to end its sponsorship of the McLaren team after the Spanish bank’s "transition" to Ferrari in 2010.

Despite Ferrari’s high profile new deal with Santander last season, the sponsor also stayed with McLaren in 2010 in the form of driver overalls branding.

But the Santander branding was removed from the rear wing of the British team’s 2010 car.

"We have had a transition with McLaren and who knows if in the future we will keep on having a relationship with them and their drivers," spokesman Juan Manuel Cendoya is quoted in the Spanish press.

When asked about Santander’s future in F1, Cendoya added: "It is bright. We are delighted to work with Ferrari; the Scuderia will keep on fighting to win."