Mercedes GP signs long-term agreement with Petronas

Mercedes GP has announced Malaysian oil company Petronas as their title sponsor for 2010 Formula 1 season.

Petronas has been a long-term sponsor of BMW-Sauber, however, in recent weeks, there has been speculation that the Malaysian national oil and gas company would switch allegiance to the Malaysian-backed Lotus F1 team.

However, it was the former Brawn GP-team who announced a long-term partnership with Petronas and will replace Mobil 1 as the team’s official lubricant.

It is not yet known whether they will continue their sponsorship with Sauber or indeed sponsor another team in the form of Tony Fernandes’ Lotus F1 outfit.

Here’s a sneaky peak of Mercedes’ new livery.

The Mercedes GP 2010 car will make its debut at Valencia on February 1 for the first of the pre-season tests ahead of the 2010 F1 season.