Monday January 17th, 2000

Benetton announced today that it has signed major multi-million pound partnership deals which include Marconi plc and MTCI.

In a three year partnership deal, Marconi will provide the team with a leading edge communications and online information network using their speed of light optical technology. Marconi engineers will work on-site with Benetton Formula 1 to build the new network, which will begin to be implemented in time for the Australian Grand Prix.

"Marconi are one of the strongest technology leaders and, as I fully believe in providing the team with the best new systems available, I am extremely excited about this partnership," said Rocco Benetton, Chief Executive of the Benetton Formula One team. "Marconi's new optical network will provide us with lightning-fast access to data and rapid online access which will be a massive advantage both on track and back at the factory."

"Fast access to information is increasingly important to all of us, and no sport demonstrates this need to get it right first time, every time better than Formula One," said Marconi Communications CEO, Mike Parton. "Working with Benetton Formula 1 is a great opportunity for Marconi to demonstrate the power of its technology to deliver the goods under pressure in partnership with one of Formula One's top racing teams."

Also joining the team as a sponsor for the 2000 season is MTCI, an internet service provider based in Japan. MTCI is one of the fastest growing companies in the industry, with 30 affiliated companies. MTCI is also a personal sponsor of the Mild Seven Benetton Playlife team's new test driver, Hidetoshi Mitsusada.