MUMBAI: Kingfisher Airlines announced its multi-year partnership deal with Toyota Motorsport GmbH to be an official partner of the Toyota F1 Racing team. With the signing of this deal, Kingfisher Airlines enters the high-profile Formula 1 circuit and will be designated as official partner for the Toyota Racing Team of the Köln based Toyota Motorsport GmbH. The deal will initially be for a period of two years commencing with the 2007 racing season and is rated as one of corporate India's biggest overseas brand partnerships according to the company.

The deal also marks the largest sports partnership programme so far for the 21-month-old Kingfisher Airlines says the release. This partnerhsip also marks the first time ever that an airline based out of India has partnered on this scale with anyone in the F1 circuit worldwide.

The deal was inked just ahead of the official unveiling of Toyota's long-awaited 2007 challenger, the TF 107 at Cologne's 'Expo XXI' exhibition grounds, in the team's home town. Drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli were both present at the unveiling of the car. The announcement was made by Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman and CEO, Kingfisher Airlines Limited and Toyota Motorsport President John Howett.