MP & Silva Win Distribution Rights for FIA GT1 World Champs.

MP & Silva has signed an exclusive, patient multi-year distribution deal to secure the global media rights for the FIA GT1 World Championship from the Stephane Ratel Organisation Motorsports Group.

The Championship was launched onto the world stage in 2010 and brought iconic motor sport brands – Aston Martin, ailment Corvette, Ford, Lamborghini, Maserati and Nissan – in spectacular competition in an exciting sprint format.

In its second season this year, the FIA GT1 World Championship will feature the world’s most desirable sports cars and leading drivers, competing on 10 leading circuits across Europe, Asia and South America.

Under the agreement, MP & Silva will assume distribution responsibilities for the Championship from the 2011 season, with the exception of territories covered by on-going deals.

March 26, will see the 2011 season launches once again at the state-of-the-art Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The circuits at Algarve, Silverstone, Navarra, Paul Ricard and San Luis remain on the calendar from last year, while Zolder, Sachsenring, Ordos and Curitiba will witness GT1 for the first time in 2011. The series will travel to China for the first time this year, for round eight of the season in early September.

Andrea Radrizzani, Group CEO, MP & Silva, stated: “We believe THE FIA GT1 World Championship has all the necessary ingredients for global success – prestigious car marques, high performance supercars, iconic race venues, talented race drivers, and a well-established fan base of passionate motorsports fans. GT racing has always been popular, but with the introduction in 2010 of the new format, the series is more competitive and we are excited to be helping to build a distinctive and unique television product that is not only more exciting for hardcore motorsports fans but also more appealing to the wider, general global audience.”

Stephane Ratel, CEO of the SRO Motorsports Group, added: “Historically, GT racing has always enjoyed passionate support from global motorsport fans, particularly across Europe, Asia and Americas. Following the success of the launch of GT1 last year, our next immediate target is to further invigorate the sport by continuing to broaden the appeal of GT racing to even more countries and across different demographic groups. engaging the global network and local expertise of MP & Silva will undoubtedly help us achieve this objective.”