01/03/2011
NEWS STORY
Infiniti and Red Bull have officially confirmed the deal which will see the world championship winning team enter a branding and marketing relationship with the luxury Japanese car manufacturer.
The story first broke on Saturday evening when journalists were advised that an announcement would be made at the Geneva Motor Show today (Tuesday), though this would be preceded by a media briefing in London on Monday. Either way, the story was officially embargoed until midnight last night leading to many - including Pitpass - to jump the gun and (wrongly) assume that the deal would see the Renault engines re-badged by Infiniti.
As part of the agreement, Infiniti will have a high-profile branding presence on the cars, drivers clothing and related team uniforms and equipment. In addition to the branding and marketing relationship, Infiniti will work with Renault to forge future technical collaboration with Red Bull who continue to use the Renault engines in 2011 and 2012 that powered them to their maiden titles last season.
Commenting on announcement for Infiniti, Andy Palmer, Senior Vice President, Infiniti said: "Over the mid-term, Infiniti will be simultaneously expanding its global presence and broadening its product range. Given these twin ambitions, it is clear that Formula One offers us an unrivalled global communications platform, complementing Infiniti's ethos of Inspired Performance. We are excited to have the opportunity to enter Formula One together with a world-class team like Red Bull Racing Renault."
"Red Bull has always taken a different approach," added Christian Horner, "so when the Infiniti executives outlined their innovative plan to us we were very open to working with them. Coming off the back of our 2010 Drivers' and Constructors' World Championships, we feel even more excited to be starting the 2011 season with a new and committed partner like Infiniti."
Bernard Rey, President of Renault Sport F1 further endorsed the new deal: "While Renault is rightfully very proud of our achievements within Formula One, we know the future is about collaboration. To have a talented and committed Alliance partner like Infiniti is very welcome as we set out on the current and future challenges in Formula One. So it is with great pleasure that I would like to welcome Andy Palmer and his entire team in our Formula One adventure, and I look forward to starting the 2011 season together as Alliance partners."