Teams get 80-85% of their total income from sponsorship; the rest comes from TV revenue and prize money through F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone's F1 Management company.

TRADE LINK-UPS - $1-3m
These companies are less interested in having their names in prominent positions on the car than in being able to associate themselves with the image of a team.

They are usually suppliers to industry - either high-tech or engineering - and have small spaces in parts of the car that are less highly visible, like the side of the rear wing, or the wing mirrors.

CO-SPONSOR - $3-15m
Some of these second-string backers want the kudos of being linked with a sport with a high-tech, ultra-modern image. These are usually engineering and technology companies.

Others are more interested in the exposure and hospitality benefits being involved in F1 can provide.

Again, the amount they pay depends on exposure and location on the car and the status of the team.

TITLE SPONSOR- $15-50m
For this sort of money, a company would have its brand included in the official title of the team - ie Ferrari Marlboro- and be positioned on all the highest-profile parts of the car which get most TV exposure.

A company like West or Marlboro might pay up to $50m to have this sort of link with McLaren or Ferrari, whereas a middle ranking team could expect less than half that, and a back-of-the grid outfit half as much again.