The MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team is pleased to confirm the extension of its team partnership agreement with Starwood Preferred Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

This unique partnership began in 2012 and the two-year extension will allow Starwood to continue to offer its Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members unique access to Formula One experiences with MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS in destinations around the world. The brand is also the preferred hotel partner for the team, who stay at its resorts in locations such as Barcelona, Monaco, Singapore, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

The free-to-join SPG programme allows members to register for their chance to redeem their Starpoints for 'Access Like No Other' Experiences which offer unparalleled access to the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS team. To date, these experiences have ranged from exclusive events with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at Starwood Hotels over the race weekends, to simulator and behind-the-scenes experiences at the team's Operations Centre in Brackley, UK. Such experiences have proved highly popular, with a 250 percent growth in SPG members redeeming their points to participate since the launch of the partnership in 2012.

Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, Toto Wolff, commented:  "We are delighted to have extended our partnership with Starwood Preferred Guest for a further two years. Not only have our team enjoyed the benefits of staying in some wonderful Starwood properties as we follow the Formula One calendar around the globe but we can see the tangible benefits reflected in the excitement and enthusiasm of the SPG members who join us over the race weekends for their exclusive experiences. Knowing that our association with SPG has helped to drive the success of their membership programme is very satisfying and we look forward to more successful seasons together."

Mark Vondrasek, Senior Vice President, Distribution, Loyalty and Partnership Marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. said: "From one-of-a kind views of the pit lane to meeting the drivers in incredible destinations, the unique and exclusive experiences we have offered as a result of this partnership have helped drive SPG Members' excitement for the popular sport of Formula One. Our extended collaboration with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team enables us to continue creating memorable moments for our SPG guests, feeding their passion for this world-class sport."

Notes to Editors:

Starwood Preferred Guest

Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) is an innovative, award-winning frequent traveller program that unites each of Starwood's nine distinctive hotel brands and includes more luxury hotels in more destinations around the world.  SPG reinvented the hospitality loyalty landscape when it launched in 1999 with its breakthrough policy of no blackout dates, and over the years has continued its tradition of innovation with enhancements such as Cash + Points, SPG MomentsSM, and most recently Your24™ and SPG Lifetime™.  In addition to Free Night Awards at nearly 1,200 hotels and resorts and Award Flights on over 350 major airlines without blackout dates, the Starpoints® that members earn through SPG can be redeemed for access like no other to experiences in music, sports and the arts through SPG Moments. SPG offers the opportunity for meeting and travel professionals to earn rich rewards including Starpoints and elite status through SPG Pro. SPG also has an ongoing commitment to digital innovation to meet the needs of today's connected global traveller - from the SPG app for iPhone that utilises state-aware technology to create a more personalised hotel stay to Starwood's Best Rate Guarantee on SPG.com, to SPG's integration within various social media platforms.  Offerings such as these have helped SPG build a passionate member base among the world's most frequent travellers.

www.spg.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,200 properties in 100 countries and 171,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®. The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest®, allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands.

www.starwoodhotels.com

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