McLaren and Coca-Cola came together for 3 race deal towards the end of the 2018 season.
It was believed that Coca-Cola was testing waters with those 3 races and will then take a call on whether to get involved with McLaren for the 2019 season.
Reports had earlier been doing the rounds that McLaren had actually struck a deal with Coca-Cola and could have them on their livery as well.
Zak Brown was in high spirits when he had brought Coca-Cola on as sponsors late last season.
“Coca-Cola has a rich history of sponsorship and a record of innovative activations and we are honoured the company has chosen to partner with McLaren to explore opportunities in Formula 1.” he had said.
“Formula 1 as a sport is changing, as are we as a team, and we’re looking forward to introducing Coca-Cola to the potential that our team and fantastic, global sport represents.” he added.
However, all those reports were quashed when McLaren revealed their new MCL34 for the 2019 season.
Despite Coca-Cola not being on the livery, fans were hopeful of finding it on board with McLaren as a sponsor in some or the other capacity.
But with McLaren now doing way with Coca-Cola as its corporate partner on its website, any hope of a deal between the two entities is out of the window.
Coca-Cola no longer listed as a corporate sponsor on McLaren’s website. No deal for 2019 pic.twitter.com/lT6wlHRUmu
— Utkarsh Bhatla (@UtkarshBhatla) February 15, 2019
According to reports, McLaren getting BAT on board as a sponsor has made Coca-Cola pull out of the deal.
Coca-Cola has reportedly always stayed away from entities that have used tobacco companies as sponsors.
Fans were desperately waiting for a Coca-Cola based livery for the 2019 season, but will now have to be content with what McLaren have dished out.
Love the design of the McLaren but can anyone find the Coca Cola sponsor or am I just blind?
— Aldas (@Aldas001) February 14, 2019
Shame Coca Cola didn’t extend the deal, we could’ve got a red and white McLaren.
— Stephen (@STJ_95) February 14, 2019
Do you know what happened to the Mclaren – Coca Cola partnership?
— Simran Singh (@realsimransingh) February 14, 2019
El nuevo McLaren #F1 sigue siendo naranja
Con un toque más de azul y con los detalles que vuelve British American Tobacco (A better tomorrow) y la ausencia de Kimoa (marca que viste a Alonso) y Coca-Cola, que inesperadamente salió pic.twitter.com/8BULFjiPin
— F.F. (@FutFrustrados) February 14, 2019
🏁 Me alegra verle #sponsors nuevos al #McLaren, pero no veo a #cocaCola. 😲 #f1 pic.twitter.com/dfvdlq7wwX
— Regaladom (@Mario_Regalado_) February 14, 2019
Would you have wanted McLaren to have a Coca-Cola based livery?