British Formula One team Racing Point has ended its sponsorship deal with Kenyan bookmaker SportPesa due to “difficulties in [SportPesa’s] home market”, racing team leader Otmar Szafnauer said.
SportPesa had initially signed a multi-year title sponsorship deal with Racing Point ahead of the 2019 F1 season. However, the racing car team dropped the agreement ahead of the Melbourne Grad Prix, which will start on March 15.
Speaking with motoring magazine motorsport.com, the F1 team head said: “They had some difficulties in their home market. They still want to be involved but maybe at a different level, but not as a title sponsor.”
SportPesa was kicked out of the Kenyan market in 2019, following a dispute with the Kenyatta administration in relation to unpaid taxes.
Racing Point is the second British company in a week to drop its deal with African gaming giant this week, following English football giant Everton’s announcement it would cease its sponsoring contract with the firm.
The F1 team could continue to work with SportPesa. However, industry observers said it could be at a much lower presence.