Williams Racing proudly announced a groundbreaking partnership with Mercado Libre, the renowned Latin American e-commerce and digital payments giant. With a staggering user base exceeding 100 million across 18 countries in the region, Mercado Libre was honoured among Time magazine’s 100 most influential companies last year, marking its debut in Formula 1 alongside Williams.
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Commencing from the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Mercado Libre’s distinctive handshake logo will adorn the FW46 cars driven by Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto. The collaboration promises exhilarating activations featuring Mercado Libre’s signature yellow branding, specially curated for the Latin American races scheduled later this season.
Founded in Argentina and publicly listed on the NASDAQ, Mercado Libre represents the second Argentine entity to swiftly forge ties with Williams, following the appointment of Franco Colapinto as the team’s driver for the remainder of the year. This partnership coincides with the exciting prospect of welcoming Carlos Sainz to the team for 2025. Recently, Williams also unveiled a strategic alliance with Globant, a leader in digital transformation, further solidifying its historic association with Argentina, dating back to Carlos Reutemann’s tenure in the 1980s.
Among a roster of prominent collaborators in 2024, including Komatsu, Keeper Security, VAST Data, and Jumeirah, Mercado Libre and Globant stand out as pivotal partners in Williams’ transformative journey toward excellence in Formula 1.
James Vowles, Team Principal, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Mercado Libre to Formula 1 as partners with Williams Racing. Their decision underscores F1’s global appeal and reinforces Williams’ stature as an iconic international sporting franchise. With strong ties to Argentina, where we celebrated our last F1 victory and continue to build with Franco, we are proud to deepen our connection to a region so fervently passionate about motorsport.”
Sean Summers, CMO & EVP of Mercado Libre, echoed this sentiment, saying, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Williams and Franco Colapinto, aligning perfectly with the sport’s growing global popularity. This collaboration offers Mercado Libre an unparalleled opportunity to engage with millions of users and fans across Latin America. We eagerly support Franco, a talented Argentine driver whose journey epitomizes dedication and excellence, values that resonate deeply with Mercado Libre’s mission to revolutionize e-commerce and financial services in the region.”
The partnership between Williams Racing and Mercado Libre heralds a dynamic fusion of motorsport prowess and digital innovation, promising exciting developments both on and off the track throughout the season and beyond.
