The bank is running its first ad campaign featuring both Hamilton and the brands, which it acquired amid turmoil in the financial markets.
The TV ad, a version of which ran earlier this year, depicts Hamilton - who, at 23, is the youngest-ever F1 world champion - and his McLaren F1 car as Airfix-style models. Their component parts are then painted and glued together before coming to life. A voice-over offers assurance of Santander's strength by seeking to highlight its traditional, low-risk banking values.
The work, created by WCRS and Woo, will run on TV, in the national press, and in branches of Abbey, Alli-ance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley.
Earlier this year, Hamilton agreed to endorse Reebok (Marketing, 13 May) in a deal that broke with McLaren's tradition of allowing its drivers to work only with team sponsors.
Sources suggest Hamilton's father, Anthony, has held discussions with other brands keen to sign his son as an ambassador.
McLaren's other partners include Hilton and Nescafe
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