Press release
Vodafone brings formula one car run to India
Lewis Hamilton mesmerizes his fans in Bengaluru in his
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 car
Bengaluru, September 27, 2011: Vodafone today organized a formula one car run on India roads in front of more than 10000 die-hard enthusiasts in Bangalore. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton drove his award winning MP4-23, the car which raced him to the 2008 Drivers’ World Championship in front of his fans and Vodafone customers in Nice Road, near Bengaluru. The audience was left spell-bound with the driving skills of Lewis and lightning fast speeds of his car. Some lucky customers got the privilege of hot laps with Lewis and also visiting the pit garage to see the technology behind the team.
The atmosphere at the NICE road was so electrifying that one felt as if the Grand Prix had come to Bengaluru. The road looked like a Formula 1 track complete with grand stand the pit garage and the roar of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes car was rivaled by the loud cheers of over 10000 enthusiastic fans across all age groups comprising a mix of socialites, celebrities and event college students in the stands . MTV VJ Ran Vijay kept the audience on their toes during this edge of the seat thriller. Lewis Hamilton also interacted with the finalists of the on-going Vodafone Race to Fame contest which is giving them a chance to join the team and live the weekend of their lives during the race weekend of the Indian Grand Prix.
Excited about driving his formula one car for the first time on Indian roads, the 26 year old Lewis Hamilton said, “I’ve visited India many times over the last couple of years and it’s never been more exciting to be here than now: the inaugural Indian Grand Prix is only weeks away and you can really feel the growing passion of the people and the excitement levels continuing to build.
“Vodafone has been supporting our team and Formula 1 for many years and they’ve always brought grand prix racing to the people: getting to drive my Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 car on India’s public roads today was an incredible experience and I really hope it gave people a taste for the incredible spectacle of Formula 1.”
“There’s no better way to experience F1 than up-close, so I think today’s event was a huge success. Next month’s Indian Grand Prix is going to be a fantastic event for our sport, but also for the whole Indian nation, who are incredibly passionate about sport. Through Vodafone, I think this is going to be the experience of a lifetime.”
Vodafone has been the Title Partner and Official Mobile Partner of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team since 2007, which demonstrates its ongoing commitment to the Formula One World Championship, a sport that has significant appeal for Vodafone’s customers around the world. VMM is one of the most successful teams in Formula One, having won four consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships (1988 – 1991) and secured eight Constructors’ World Championship titles.
Leveraging the Global association in India, Vodafone had launched ‘Vodafone Race to Fame’ a unique and innovative engagement platform, which includes a host of activities. This initiative includes two different challenges ‘Vodafone Race to Fame- Life in the fast lane’ where lucky winners will get ‘a-money-can’t-buy’ experience, to live the weekend of their lives with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team during the Indian Grand Prix to be held at Noida on the 28th-30th October 2011. The ‘Vodafone Drive into the Big League’extends a never before opportunity to small & medium enterprises (SME’s) to have their logo on the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes cars that will race at the motor racing event in India.. Vodafone Drive in the Big League has received an overwhelming response and there have been more than 50,000 entries received from prospective small and medium business enterprises. The winners for both these contests will be announced by Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team on the eve of the motor racing weekend next month.
About Vodafone Essar
Vodafone Essar is a member of the Vodafone Group and commenced operations in 1994 when its predecessor Hutchison Telecom acquired the cellular license for Mumbai. The company now has operations across the country with over 144 million customers. Vodafone Essar has been awarded the “Best Mobile Service Provider 2011” at the Aegis Graham Bell Awards 2011.
Also, in a survey conducted by India’s leading business weekly, Vodafone Essar was awarded ‘Most Respected Company’ in the Telecom Sector for 2010 and the ‘Most Trusted Service Brand’ in India for 2010, by a leading financial daily. Vodafone India, in line with its group philosophy has released the Corporate Sustainability Report for India – Footprints 2010-11. To view the online version of the report, please visit www.vodafone.in
Vodafone is one of the world's largest mobile communications companies by revenue with over 370 million customers in its controlled and jointly controlled markets as at June 30, 2011. Vodafone currently has equity interests in over 30 countries across five continents and more than 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com
For Further Information, please Contact
Vodafone Essar Ltd
Suresh Rangarajan I Suresh.rangarajan@vodafone.com/+91-9820018091
Genesis B-M
Sherin Varghese I Sherin.varghese@bm.com/ +91 9916115584
Ashna Sridhar I Ashna.sridhar@bm.com/ +91-9820056817
Warm Regards,
Swapna Wazalwar
Genesis Burson-Marsteller India
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