In a significant development ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Ferrari has announced a new sponsorship deal with the prominent Italian banking group UniCredit. This partnership is set to kick off at the start of the 2025 campaign, marking a strategic shift in Ferrari’s commercial landscape.
The announcement comes on the heels of Ferrari’s decision to part ways with its current sponsor, Santander, at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Santander, a long-time supporter of Ferrari, first adorned the iconic red cars from 2010 to 2017 and returned in 2021. However, the banking giant will exit its partnership with Ferrari just as Carlos Sainz, one of its most high-profile ambassadors, leaves the team to make way for Lewis Hamilton in 2025.
Ferrari wasted no time in securing a replacement, revealing that it has entered a multi-year agreement with UniCredit, effective January 1, 2025. While Ferrari has yet to disclose the full extent of UniCredit’s branding on its F1 vehicles and gear, the new sponsor is expected to fill the void left by Santander’s departure.
Ferrari’s statement highlighted the importance of this new partnership: “Ferrari announces that, effective January 1, 2025, UniCredit S.p.A. will partner with Ferrari S.p.A., its wholly-owned subsidiary, to be at its side in its Formula 1 racing activities under a multi-year agreement.”
As Ferrari aligns with UniCredit, speculation is mounting over Santander’s next move. The banking giant hinted at continuing its involvement in Formula 1 through other avenues, with rumors suggesting a potential shift to Williams, particularly in light of Sainz’s forthcoming move to the British team.
Juan Manuel Cendoya, Santander’s Global Head of Communications, expressed gratitude for the partnership with Ferrari, stating, “We are extremely grateful to Ferrari for their partnership over the past three years. Sponsorships play an important role in engaging with clients and reinforcing our brand, and we will continue to work with a range of partners in the years ahead.”
This new partnership with UniCredit marks a fresh chapter for Ferrari as it gears up for the 2025 season, with the Italian banking powerhouse now in its corner, ready to support the team’s pursuit of Formula 1 glory.
