Infiniti Expands Grand Prix Partnership with Red Bull Racing

The expanded partnership between Infiniti and Red Bull Racing, features Infiniti having more prominent branding on the 2012 Red Bull Racing F1 cars, with enhanced logos on the side of the chassis and cockpit top of the next generation car. The Infiniti name and logo will also be expanded to new areas on the drivers’ overalls and team equipment. In addition, Infiniti and Red Bull Racing will increase the global and market leverage of their partnership through more marketing and media activities throughout the year.

Speaking at the Korean Grand Prix, Andy Palmer, executive vice president, Nissan Motor Company, said: “When we announced the partnership back in March, our single objective was to boost global brand awareness for Infiniti. In just seven months, the results have exceeded even our most ambitious targets, leading to our becoming the most highly exposed automotive brand in Formula One this season. As we look ahead to the second year of our partnership with Red Bull Racing, we are now extending into exciting new areas of technical and product collaboration.”

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner added: “In the short time we have been involved with Infiniti it has become clear that the closer we work together the more performance advantages can be gained by both sides. It has been a phenomenally successful first season to date, and deepening our partnership further provides us even more scope to share knowledge and expertise, leading to mutual benefits on the track and the road.”

This accelerated program, just seven months after the partnership was announced, further solidifies Infiniti’s shared vision with Red Bull Racing, with work streams already in place to develop the partnership into a technical collaboration. That's an important collaboration because designs and engineering improvements in racing can have applications in daily drivers when it comes to suspension, fuel efficiency and aerodynamics.

Infiniti will also continue to build on its personal agreement with Vettel, who has already worked on several projects with the company including the launch of the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel version at the Frankfurt auto show in September.

That crossover features sophisticated technology, lightweight components and features such as Rear Active Steering for maximum agility. The V8 FX50S Premium – Infiniti’s flagship as well as its best-selling model in some markets – provides the ideal starting point for the FX Sebastian Vettel version. Changes including increased power, lower weight, derestricted top speed, longer gearing, increased downforce and lowered and stiffer suspension turn what is already a sports car among crossovers into a crossover supercar - the 300km/h (187 mph) reality of the World Champion’s vision.

Infiniti Global Brand Ambassador Sebastian Vettel underlined his reputation as a true master of Inspired Performance today, by winning the world championship, becoming the youngest two-time winner.

Going into the Japanese race needing to finish tenth or better to secure the title, the Red Bull Racing driver maintained his composure under huge pressure to finish in third place. This podium finish gave him enough points to seal the championship and at 24, makes him the youngest double World Champion in Formula One history with four races still to go this season.

The German star and Infiniti driver has been the class of the 2011 season so far, winning nine races and, along with teammate Mark Webber, ensuring Infiniti and Red Bull Racing have not only wrapped up the Driver’s championship but lead the Constructor’s World Championship by 130 points.