Red Bull and Aston Martin have confirmed an intensifying in their relationship, with the British luxury car brand becoming the new title sponsor from 2018.
The announcement follows hints by both parties at an expansion of their activities together in Singapore and now it has been revealed the two will work more closely in a technical partnership including the creation of a new Advanced Performance Centre at Red Bull’s F1 HQ in Milton Keynes.
The move could also be the first step towards an eventual split with current engine supplier Renault, as Aston becomes the first title sponsor with Red Bull since Renault partner Infiniti, which ended their partnership at the end of 2015.
“Our innovation partnership with Aston Martin has been a pioneering project from day one,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner. “Having conceived and created the remarkably successful Aston Martin Valkyrie together in 2016, we extended our relationship this year and are now delighted to further strengthen the Partnership and see the team competing as Aston Martin Red Bull Racing in 2018.”
“Having conceived and created the remarkably successful Aston Martin Valkyrie together in 2016, we extended our relationship this year and are now delighted to further strengthen the Partnership and see the team competing as Aston Martin Red Bull Racing in 2018.”
For Palmer, the increased investment and participation also represent confidence both in the future of Red Bull and F1 as a whole under the leadership of Liberty Media.
“Title partnership is the next logical step for our ‘innovation partnership’ with Red Bull Racing,” he claimed. “We are enjoying the global brand awareness that a revitalised Formula 1 provides.”
On the prospect of joining as an engine supplier in four years time, Palmer added: “The power unit discussions are of interest to us, but only if the circumstances are right.
“We are not about to enter an engine war with no restrictions in cost or dynamometer hours but we believe that if the FIA can create the right environment we would be interested in getting involved.”
Aston Martin has been and remains a big name in GT racing with the DBR9 and Vantage GTE as well as prototype partnerships with Lola in the past, combined with one of the most respected design teams in F1 it will be fascinating to see what this closer partnership will bring to Red Bull.
