Mercedes land multi-million pound deal with Adidas to replace Puma and Tommy Hilfiger as team partner… as the F1 outfit prepare for life without Ferrari-bound star Lewis Hamilton

• Adidas will replace Puma and leisurewear partner Tommy Hilfiger next season
• The sponsorship is expected to be worth more than the current £6m-a-year deal 
• A deal shows the team remain commercially attractive without Lewis Hamilton 

Mercedes have agreed a new multi-million pound sponsorship deal with Adidas to become the Formula One team’s official team clothing and merchandising partner next season. 

Mail Sport has learned that Adidas are set to replace both Mercedes’ current race gear providers Puma and leisurewear partner Tommy Hilfiger, in a major commercial boost as team principal Toto Wolff seeks a new driver to replace Lewis Hamilton.

Mercedes’ priority this year is to secure a replacement for Ferrari-bound Hamilton, but landing a huge global partner such as Adidas is a positive indicator that they remain commercially attractive without the seven-times world champion. 

It is understood that the new deal is worth more to Mercedes than the combined £6m-a-year current contracts with Hilfiger and Puma and will generate tens of millions for the company.

The new deal is also significant for Adidas, who suffered a big setback earlier this month when losing their iconic sponsorship rights for the Germany national football team after 70 years. Nike will replace Adidas on the German national shirt from 2027 in a seven-year deal.

Adidas reported their first financial loss in 30 years this month, with the legacy of the companies acrimonious break-up with Kanye West following the rapper’s anti-semitic comments taking its toll.

Wolff said earlier this week that an outrageous bid to tempt world champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull due to the Belgian’s unhappiness at the Christian Horner controversy would be his priority, although in reality Mercedes are likely to look elsewhere for a new partner for George Russell.

‘We have a slot free, the only one in the top teams, unless Max decides he goes, then the slot is not going to be free with us anymore,’ Wolff said. 

‘There are a few options that are really interesting for us, from the very young super-talent to some of the older ones who are very experienced.’

Mercedes declined to comment.