NTT will become an official partner of the McLaren F1 team from the 2027 season, McLaren announced on Wednesday.
The multi-year deal centres on artificial intelligence (AI), with NTT helping the team use the technology while managing its security risks.
An AI-focused deal
McLaren says the Japanese technology group will help it become the most AI-fluent team on the grid. Security rules for how AI is used sit at the heart of the agreement.
The deal will also show off NTT's technology on and off the track, and include a global programme for NTT's clients and for fans.
Neither side has said how long the deal runs, how much it is worth or where NTT's name will appear on the car.
McLaren Racing chief executive Zak Brown said "AI has enormous potential across our sport and our business".
A long link with McLaren
NTT has worked with McLaren before. Its company NTT Communications, now NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, was a technology partner of the F1 team, and NTT DATA backed the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team.
The Race reports that the F1 link began in 2016, in the McLaren-Honda years.
NTT has been the title sponsor of America's IndyCar series since 2019, and the new F1 deal sits alongside that role.
Race it on Late Brake
This story doesn't involve one of the circuits in Late Brake. The free browser game has six real circuits, including Spielberg, where the photo was taken, and Interlagos, where F1 races this weekend. Try the daily challenge, or follow the racing line to learn each lap.