Aston Martin Signs as Red Bull’s F1 Title Partner

Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. has agreed to become the title sponsor for the Red Bull Formula One racing team beginning with next year’s season.

The team will be called Aston Martin Red Bull Racing. Red Bull’s F1 cars currently use Renault 1.6-liter turbocharged V-6 hybrid engines. But Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer says the change in F1 rules after 2020 that dictate a simpler and less expensive engine might result in a powerplant that Aston Martin would supply.

Aston Martin and Red Bullintend to open an advanced performance center in England to develop both F1 and ultra-high-performance road cars.

The two companies have been collaborating closely on Aston Martin’s upcoming Valkyrie hypercar (pictured). The two-seater features radical aerodynamics with downforce generated mainly through underbody tweaks.

The Valkyrie reportedly will use a 1,000-hp-plus hybrid powertrain, Rimac battery with a 6.5-liter V-12 engine and custom Ricardo 7-speed automatic gearbox. Aston Martin will build only 150 of the road-legal cars, with deliveries to begin in 2019.