The cryptocurrency sector celebrated a collective win in Abu Dhabi as the McLaren Formula 1 team clinched the coveted Constructors' Championship title.
Lando Norris cruised to victory at the Yas Marina circuit, bringing down the curtain on this year’s race calendar and giving McLaren an accolade they have not won in 26 years. The success was shared by OKX, one of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, which has been a primary partner of the team since 2022.
Related: OKX doubles down on McLaren deal as F1 continues to attract crypto firms
Its flagship branding has been emblazoned on McLaren’s vehicle livery for the past three years and high-profile TV advertising campaigns have done their bit in increasing the visibility of the wider cryptocurrency space in one of the world’s most-watched sports.
From Underdogs to Champions :trophy:@McLarenF1 proved that ambition and innovation can achieve the impossible. Together, we’ve celebrated podiums, broken records, and launched groundbreaking fan initiatives.
— OKX (@okx) December 8, 2024
Read more from our CMO @Haider on how OKX fueled this comeback:… pic.twitter.com/Ta8lUAf7W6
Cointelegraph joined the OKX team to watch the 2024 season-ending race in Abu Dhabi and spoke exclusively to CMO Haider Rafique about the importance of the partnership and the impact it has had on the introduction and adoption of cryptocurrencies by the global audience that F1 reaches.
“I think the partnership with McLaren has always been about reaching new people and helping them get closer to our industry in a different way. I think this is a very special time,” Rafique told Cointelegraph.
The CMO admitted that OKX wanted to play its part in a concerted push to help McLaren establish itself as one of the leading teams on the Formula 1 circuit. Rafique added that the partnership has always focused on “feelings and emotions” and the synergies that the brands share:
“We tapped into McLaren for their heritage. We’re a heritage company that is continuing to innovate. We’re probably one of the oldest companies in the industry, but we still continue to innovate the same way McLaren has.”
When OKX signed its three-year partnership with McLaren, the team was somewhere in the middle of the F1 Constructor’s Championship table, and the thought of victory seemed like a long shot.
Related: How OKX convinced F1 star Daniel Ricciardo it’s safe to promote crypto
The rise of racing talents like Lando Norris, who secured his fourth win of the 2024 season for McLaren to clinch the Champonship title for his team, has played an integral part in the resurgence of McLaren.
OKX will continue to drive McLaren’s involvement in the world of Web3 through the launch of a commemorative, exclusive NFT designed by acclaimed artist Krzysztof Domaradzk. The digital collectibles will be available on OKX’s NFT marketplace and
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