The Sauber Formula One team has signed a sponsorship deal with Singapore Airlines.

The carrier will become the official airline partner of the Swiss-based team and will provide flights to overseas races across Asia and Australia.

Contractual details have not been revealed but the partnership is being described by the team as a 'long-term' one.

“We are very pleased to be the official airline partner of the Sauber F1 team,” said Ranjan Jha, Singapore Airlines' general manager for Switzerland.

"We share the same fascination and passion for engineering and consistent ambition for innovation, highest quality and precision. Sauber stands for a strong brand with a long-time, impressive tradition. We are excited about the new season and looking forward to embarking on this journey together.”

Founded in 1972, Singapore Airlines now operates a fleet of over 100 passenger aircraft.

Sauber endured a troubled build-up to the new Formula One season, engaging in legal proceedings with former driver Giedo Van der Garde right up to the eve of the Australian Grand Prix last weekend. The race itself, however, came as a welcome relief, with Sauber drivers Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson finishing fifth and eighth respectively.