Zoom Spanish backer keen to back the top Spaniard

Spanish sponsor Mutua Madrilena has finally ended its association with the McLaren team and will return to the livery of Renault's Formula One car in 2008.

The Madrid-based insurance company switched with Fernando Alonso to McLaren for 2007, but reportedly had trouble breaking its long term contract in order to accompany the Spaniard back to Renault for the forthcoming season.

The Spanish daily Diario AS, however, reports this week that Mutua Madrilena has now successfully broken its McLaren ties, despite the fact that the company's logo was still represented on the overalls of Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen at the launch of the MP4-23 last month.

The publication claims that the sponsor was able to declare breach of contract because Alonso did not race for the Mercedes-powered team for long enough. The newspaper says Mutua Madrilena has subsequently signed a new two-year deal with Renault for about (US) $12 million.

Source: GMM
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