Norton Rose Fulbright has entered into an innovative corporate partnership with the McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team and has been appointed as the global legal advisor to the McLaren Group.

In over 50 years at the pinnacle of global motorsport, McLaren has developed a world-beating culture of excellence and innovation. This has enabled the McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team to win 182 Grand Prix races, achieve 155 pole positions, claim 12 drivers’ world championships and eight constructors’ championships. Under its partnership with McLaren Mercedes, Norton Rose Fulbright will have unique access into the heart of one of the world’s most successful sports teams and most innovative companies, which will provide invaluable insight into high performance teamwork and instilling a winning mentality.  

As global legal advisor, Norton Rose Fulbright will work closely with McLaren Group’s in-house legal team, providing a range of services including corporate and M&A, contractual and intellectual property, real estate and employment law.     

Peter Martyr, global chief executive, Norton Rose Fulbright said:
“This is an exciting partnership. McLaren Mercedes is a leading brand, as is Norton Rose Fulbright.
“By becoming a corporate partner and providing worldwide legal services to McLaren Group, we aim to reinforce the importance that we place on our people’s commitment to teamwork and excellence. We have already committed to developing a joint CSR project.”

Timothy Murnane, group legal director, McLaren Group said:
“McLaren Mercedes consistently challenges itself, embraces change and maintains clear focus on the only goal that matters – to win. We see Norton Rose Fulbright as one of the leading global legal practices, combining a lengthy history with an appetite for change and a pursuit of excellence which resonates with our own corporate ideals. Our unique partnership will bring together two highly respected global businesses with the potential to achieve great things together.”

Rob Otty, managing director, South Africa, Norton Rose Fulbright said:
“Technology and Innovation is one of our key industry strengths and our partnership with McLaren, which has a leading reputation in the technology sector, will reinforce our growing profile in this industry”.

Today’s announcement comes as McLaren Mercedes gears up to be the first Formula 1 team to launch its 2014 car. McLaren Mercedes will hold a groundbreaking digital launch at 12 noon on Friday January 24.

The Formula 1 championship encompasses 19 races, which are held every two weeks over a nine month period across the world, including in Canada, the United States, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and India. The championship has 105 million viewers in 140 countries.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s appointment as global legal advisor to McLaren Group covers McLaren Racing and McLaren Applied Technologies and excludes McLaren Automotive.