The brewery giant currently sponsors CART, NASCAR and NHRA racing teams but Tony Ponturo, vice president of media and sports marketing for the St. Louis-based company now says: "Formula One is a prestigious racing sponsorship opportunity that is a great fit for Budweiser as a premium brand, and we've been looking at possible sponsorships in the U.S. and Europe.
"We've had only preliminary discussions, learning about Formula One, and are reviewing our sponsorship opportunities on an international basis."
Bob Lachky, the brewer's vice-president for brand management, told Britain's Marketing Online magazine that Anheuser-Busch was trying to raise its profile in Europe.
He said "We are trying to become a more international brand and are therefore interested in global communications." It is thought that Formula One officials are courting the brand in preparation for the loss of tobacco sponsorship in 2006.
The magazine also reported that Anheuser-Busch are interested in sponsoring the U.S. Grand Prix, scheduled for September 2000, when Indianapolis will return to Formula One after an absence of 40 years.
