The deal was secured by the Championship promoter, SRO Motorsports.

Blancpain will have television screen graphic and trackside exposure for its brand at all 10 rounds of the Championship, which begins April 17 at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Blancpain will create a limited edition watch to celebrate the partnership.

The inaugural GT1 World Championship runs from April until December 5, when the last race takes place in San Luis, Argentina.