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The logos of electronic manufacturer Hisense will appear on the coveted side pods of both Lotus cars at the Italian Grand Prix on 7th September.The Chinese-headquartered company has signed a three-race deal with the British team. Its branding will also appear on the sidepods at November’s United States Grand Prix in Texas, before reverting to a less prominent slot on the air box for the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In the absence of a title sponsor this year, Lotus has placed the logos of existing team partners on the sidepods, traditionally one of the most valuable pieces of inventory on a Formula One car.
“Hisense has shown impressive development and worldwide expansion as a challenger brand, something which Lotus F1 Team can relate to closely as we continue to challenge on the track,” said Matthew Carter, the chief executive of the team.
The deal is the second sponsorship agreement struck in a week by the flat screen TV specialists, after Hisense extended its major
partnership with Tennis Australia until 2017.
Lotus has endured a dismal season and currently lies eighth in the world championship, with seven races of the 2014 season to run.