Crash joins Midland F1.

The Crash Media Group, publishers of www.crash.net and the Autocourse Formula One annual, have been announced as the official media partner of the MF1 Racing team for the 2006 FIA Formula One Championship.

CMG will develop, host and manage the MF1 media website which will utilise the companies Picture Archive and Press Release Manager applications as the Midland Group become the first entrant in the history of Formula One to enter the sport running under a Russian motorsport licence.

CMG's photographic division has also been appointed as the official photo agency for the Midland F1 team, and will provide photographic coverage of drivers Tiago Monteiro and Christijan Allbers at each of the 19 Formula One Grands Prix while also being present at the various test sessions throughout the season - when newly announced test drivers Adrian Sutil, Giorgio Mondini, Markus Winkelhock and Roman Rusinov will be in action.

"What an amazing opportunity for us, joining the Midland F1 team at an exciting time in their development and also in our development is a fantastic way to start the season," CMG managing director Bryn Williams said. "Our association with Midland F1 will provide us with a powerful platform to promote and market not only our Business to Business applications but also our hugely popular Motorsport portal www.crash.net and newly launched Formula One website www.autocourse.com."

The newly launched MF1 Toyota M16, the first car to be produced solely by Midland following its purchase of the Jordan team, will also become the first car in F1 history to feature Autocourse branding in a historic move for the media company.

"Today is another landmark day for us," Williams continued. "Twelve months since acquiring the iconic Autocourse title we have launched Autocourse.com and secured Autocourse branding on the Midland F1 car. It is the first time that the Autocourse name has been present on a Formula One car and it's another milestone in the resurgence of such an historic and iconic brand.

"I'd like to take this opportunity of thanking Mr Shnaider and Mr Kolles for this opportunity and look forward to an exciting year for the team in the 2006 Formula One World Championship."