LGT becomes new sponsor of the Formula E team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport

Infront mediated the partnership between the private bank and the German motor sport team

Zug, Switzerland - LGT, the international private banking and asset management group, is the new partner of the German Formula E team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport. The FIA Formula E Championship is the first international racing series for vehicles with electrical motors. The collaboration between the two family-owned companies LGT and ABT will begin with the season opening at the end of October in Beijing. The agreement was brokered by Infront Sports & Media, the international sports marketing company.

The commitment to Formula E marks LGT’s first sponsorship in the motor sport segment. “Formula E is a highly interesting project. The new racing series stands for progressive thinking and innovative sustainable technologies”, says H.S.H. Prince Max von und zu Liechtenstein, CEO LGT. “These are factors that we identify strongly with and that play an important role in our corporate culture.” Initially, LGT will support the German team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport, from Kempten in the Allgäu, and its drivers Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi, for the next two seasons.

Two family-owned companies – one successful partnership

ABT and LGT are family-owned companies with a very long history. ABT Sportsline is currently under the leadership of the fifth Abt family generation, while LGT has been owned by the Princely Family of Liechtenstein for over 80 years. “Our two enterprises are a very good fit. As family-owned companies we both place great importance on tradition, stability and a long-term approach – but an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit nevertheless prevails at both”, says H.S.H. Prince Max von und zu Liech-tenstein.

Building on the successes of the first season

The collaboration between ABT and LGT will begin with the opening of the Formula E season on 24 October 2015 in Beijing. Hans-Jürgen Abt, CEO ABT Sportsline, is also pleased about the new partnership: “Our start in the Formula E Championship last year was a complete success. Our goal at the outset was to win races and to be a serious contender for the championship – we achieved both. With LGT as a sponsor, we now have a further reliable partner by our side, one that shares our values and helps us to build on the successes of the first season.” ABT Sportsline is the only German team in the Formula E Champion-ship. With their new vehicle model ABT Schaeffler FE01, the company from Kempten wants to be once again a top contender in the 2015/2016 season. “Our fans and partners can look forward to an exciting season”, promises Hans-Jürgen Abt.

Stephan Herth, Executive Director Summer Sports at Infront, added: “The Formula E has brought a new dynamic into the mo-torsports market. For sponsors, the race series provides an attractive platform to associate early with one of the top teams and to grow with this young series. Thanks to our longstanding experience and our network in motorsport we have been able to open up this opportunity for LGT and at the same time win a renowned partner for the only German Motorsport team in the FIA Formula E Championship."

A brand new initiative

The FIA Formula E is the first international racing series for vehicles with electrical motors. The championship, which was launched last year, will be held in ten key cities around the world over the course of ten months. Ten teams with two drivers each participate in the races, and at the end of the season, the best driver and the most successful team are declared. The 2015/2016 season begins in Beijing on 24 October 2015, and ends with the race in London on 3 July 2016.

About LGT

LGT is a leading international private banking and asset management group that has been fully controlled by the Liechtenstein Princely Family for over 80 years. As per 30 June 2015, LGT managed assets of CHF 125.7 billion (USD 134.4 billion) for wealthy private individuals and institutional clients. LGT employs approximately 2100 people who work out of more than 20 locations in Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. www.lgt.com

About ABT Sportsline

ABT Sportsline is the leading global tuner for cars from the Volkswagen Group and one of the most successful motor sport teams in Europe. Its story dates back to 1896, when Johann Abt laid the foundations of the family business by opening a blacksmith’s shop. Today ABT Sportsline, headquartered in Kempten, Germany, employs around 170 staff and is represented in 50 countries around the world. The racing team competes as the Audi factory team in the DTM and as Team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport in the electric racing series, the FIA Formula E.

About Infront

Infront Sports & Media is the most respected sports marketing company in the world, managing a comprehensive portfolio of top properes. Led by President & CEO Philippe Blatter, Infront covers all aspects of successful sporting events – including distri-bution of media rights, sponsorship, media production and event operation – and has won a reputation for its high standards of delivery. As the number one player in winter sport and with a leading role in football, summer and endurance sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 170 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of more than 650 experienced staff working from 25 offices across 13 countries, delivering 4,000 event days of top class sport around the world every year.