Regular Pitpass readers will know that we don't specialise in reporting gossip. When we say a story is exclusive it means that it is hard news which will almost certainly come to pass. You read it here first as they say. In contrast, some other outlets think it is worth reporting early stage talks which may well come to nothing. It is obvious which type of news is of most value but that's not to say that early stage talks or gossip are worthless- just that they need to be clearly labelled as such. Calling it exclusive could lead readers to believe that they can bank on the news coming to pass. After all, can news really be exclusive if it never actually happens?

So, with that disclaimer out of the way, we can continue as the news we are about to disclose could well come to something but on the other hand…. If so, then you read it here first and, if not, you have been warned.

In a nutshell, Pitpass hears that one of America's best-known brands is looking in to F1 and may be considering partnering with a team. It is a brand which is known the world over and one which was once looking at partnering with Renault F1.

Whilst there is no point in disclosing the name of the brand at such an early stage, we can say that it is as all-American as apple pie and its involvement in F1 is likely to concern one of the sport's most prominent existing sponsors. The team it is most likely to partner with could well be the biggest rival to the one whose sponsor is likely to be most concerned by its presence in F1.

Make no bones about it, the brand is researching F1 but it remains to be seen whether this will lead to anything. We wouldn't want to give the wrong impression by calling this an exclusive but if it does come off you will indeed have read it here first.