Formula 1 has secured a substantial new multi-year partnership with Standard Chartered, the prominent British multinational bank and long-term shirt sponsor of Liverpool Football Club. This strategic alliance, announced just five weeks before the 2026 season commences in Australia, marks a significant expansion in F1's commercial portfolio.
Details of the New F1 and Standard Chartered Partnership
The agreement will see Standard Chartered provide support for the all-female racing series, F1 Academy, and deliver enhanced trackside activations for its clients and guests at grands prix worldwide. This could potentially involve Liverpool players attending races this season, leveraging the bank's deep-rooted connection with the Premier League club.
Statements from F1 and Standard Chartered Leadership
F1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating: "I am thrilled to welcome Standard Chartered, an incredible financial powerhouse, as a new partner to Formula 1. We are both truly global in nature, sharing fantastic locations around the world with the desire to drive performance and create experiences that excite people and bring them together." He added, "With Standard Chartered's support for F1 Academy, I can't wait to have them join us in the paddock and see what we can achieve together."
Roberto Hoonweg, Standard Chartered's CEO of Corporate & Investment Banking, highlighted the synergies between the organisations: "We're proud to become an Official Partner to F1, which shares our relentless commitment to high performance, innovation, a world-class client experience, and distinctive global connectivity. F1's footprint reflects our own cross-border network, with our presence in 19 out of 21 F1 race markets and many other countries where clients enjoy watching one of the most exciting, fastest-growing sports in the world."
Context and Broader Implications
Standard Chartered, which has been Liverpool's main shirt sponsor since 2010 when it succeeded Carlsberg, now joins an elite roster of F1 partners that includes LVMH, Rolex, Lego, and Qatar Airways. This move underscores F1's continued commercial growth, with the sport boasting over 800 million fans globally.
The timing of the announcement is notable, coming shortly before the 2026 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 8 March. Pre-season testing is currently underway in Barcelona, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting new chapter in Formula 1's evolving partnership landscape.
