I'm an avid F1 fan, but I don't understand how Infiniti fits in with Red Bull. Are they simply their biggest sponsor partner? I know they're the "title partner", but they are an automobile manufacturer, so it's not a stretch to think they have something to do with the car. Do they have any hand in development? Engines? Aero? Just curious, I have an Infiniti G37X now so I feel somewhat attached Any info would be greatly welcomed!
i doubt anybody makes any connection between infinity and F1. poor use of advertising dollars. probably just used by the infinity execs to get vip treatment at all F1 events.
Even before the decision of renaming the team Red Bull Infiniti, most mainstream folks had already thought it was powered by an Infiniti engine. I witnessed it first hand last year at the Austin GP. The power of ignorance is a great exploit in the advertising world.
+2 How are they doing in Europe? I thought they were (primarily?) a "US brand" - Would have guessed Renault (or even Nissan?) would be more relevant over there? Cheers, Ian
Nissan is releasing a new range of Infiniti cars that are suppose to be more European, they will be built in the same factory as most current Nissan's in England.
OK, roger that, thanks. Given that I guess it makes sense for 'em - Promote their "high end" brand via F1 - Nothing wrong with that IMO. Plus, they've got Sebby-V as their "director of development." I assume that means they'll ignore commands and try and drive everyone else off the road..... Cheers, Ian
It has been rumored a lot lately that RBR is well on its way to becoming the works team for Infiniti. Like it was said before, Infiniti is owned by Renault, but I think what has been glossed over is that Renault supplies engines to many teams. By using Renault instead of Infiniti it is likely that the other teams would feel quite slighted by them not receiving works-team-status. It is likely that Infiniti has at least a passing role in the design of some other components as well, but I'm not sure that there has been official acknowledgement of that.
Brand awareness. Infiniti is only known in the US. They want to sell and become a major player in Europe. That's it.
^^^ Quoted for truth... Johan de Nysschen Interview - Infiniti Cars in F1 - Red Bull and its Infiniti Sponsor JP
Nissan and Renault have a partnership agreement, to share vehicle platforms and various technology. I wasn't aware Renault had purchased the brand, it still belongs to Nissan??
Renault purchased a chunk of Nissan a while back, they are effectively the controlling interest. Ergo, a lot of cross-pollination on marketing, development, technology and platforms, and distribution channels. Infiniti has been smacked around compared to Lexus, so the marketing tie up along with the continued blending of the Renault-Nissan world is a logical extension, though obviously still has a way to go IMHO.
Smart. Tie in with their incredible success in IRL just over a decade ago. Infiniti powered cars never finished last in any Indy 500.
Renault is not controlling interest of Nissan. They are equal stocks as sister organizations which are run by the same CEO. As stated above, Infiniti is to [Nissan] as Cadillac is to GM, Lincoln is to Ford, Lexus is to Toyota, Acura is to Honda, and yes, Ferrari is to Fiat. Next year, you will see the RBR name changed to INFINITI RED BULL RACING. For those unfamiliar with Nissan, please check out the Skyline and the GT-R (both awesome track cars)
Never heard of that before. Most folks associate Renault with Red Bull. And then Nissan. That's why they decided to name it 'Infiniti, that being Nissan's luxury arm. It has always struggled against its competitors (Lexus, Cadillac, etc). Of course Renault has a controlling interest of Nissan; a simple google would have answered that. Nissan/Infiniti = Toyota/Lexus. On the other hand, Renault/Infiniti = Fiat/Ferrari = VW/Lamborghini. The difference is VW, Fiat, and Renault are conglomerates which own many different car companies. Infiniti, Lexus and Acura are nothing more than rebadged Nissan, Toyota and Honda cars. Yes, VW and Fiat does some of that too, but with Audi/Lamborghini and Ferrari/Maserati.
As I said, Renault does not have a controlling interest of "Nissan". You gave examples of Renault having a controlling interest of Infiniti.
Infiniti is just a Nissan arm man; Renault controls both by default. And yes, the Renault BRAND has no presence in the US right now; nobody said it did. But Renault the conglomerate obviously does.
