F1: Aston Martin gives Red Bull added wings with 2018 title sponsorship

Red Bull Racing, one of F1’s most successful teams, has announced that it will race as Aston Martin Red Bull Racing in 2018 – deepening existing ties with the luxury sports car manufacturer.

Aston Martin and Red Bull joined forces in 2016, launching an “innovation partnership” which helped create Aston Martin’s “Valkyrie hypercar.”

Production on the 1,130 horsepower hybrid car which has been part designed by Red Bull’s chief technical officer, Adrian Newey, is expected to go into production next year before being released in 2019 at a rumored cost of around $3 million.

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“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 from 2018,” Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said in a statement.

The strengthening of the partnership will see the creation of an “Advanced Performance Center” which will employ over 100 Aston Martin’s design and engineering staff at Red Bull Racing’s base in Milton Keynes, UK.

Andy Palmer, president and CEO of Aston Martin said the luxury car brand had been helped by the association with Red Bull so far and that furthering the relationship was the next logical move.

The Valkyrie is Aston Martin's "ground-breaking hypercar."

Production is expected to start on the car in 2018 with the car hitting the roads the following year.

The car has been co-designed by Red Bull engineers, notably chief technical officer Adrian Newey, who masterminded the F1 team's four constructors' titles from 2010-2013.

Newey's influence on the downforce and aerodynamic efficiency of the car has led to several minor changes to the bodywork, Aston Martin says.

The car is expected to go on sale for around $2-3 million in 2019.

'Valkyrie' - Aston Martin's hypercar

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“Title partnership is the next logical step for our Innovation Partnership with Red Bull Racing, Palmer said in a statement.

“We are enjoying the global brand awareness that a revitalized Formula One provides. The power unit discussions (in Formula One) are of interest to us, but only if the circumstances are right.”

Earlier this month, Palmer told Sky F1 that Aston Martin were open to becoming an F1 engine supplier when new (as yet, unspecified) regulations are introduced for the 2021 season.

Aston Martin, perhaps most famous for featuring in the James Bond movie franchise, has partnered Red Bull since March 2016 – its famous wings logo adorning both the 2016 and 2017 championship cars – the RB12 and the RB13.

Red Bull drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen also drove Aston Martin cars as they towed caravans riotously around the Red Bull Ring in Austria earlier this year.

The footage of the pair was shared widely on social media.

Red Bull is a four-time back-to-back winner (2010-2013) of the F1 constructors’ championship and its drivers have won 53 grands prix since it joined the grid in 2005.

The team is currently third in the 2017 constructors’ title race with Ricciardo and Verstappen lying fourth and sixth respectively in the drivers’ championship.

Vettel vs. Hamilton —

Lewis Hamilton (left) and Sebastian Vettel have been battling on track all season. Click through the gallery to see how the 2017 Formula One season has played out.

Melbourne: First blood to Vettel —

The German took the checkered flag at the season opener in Melbourne leaving Hamilton and the Briton's new Mercedes teammate -- Valtteri Bottas -- trailing in his wake.

Drivers' title race after round 1
Vettel 25 points
Hamilton 18 points
Bottas 15 points

Shanghai: Hamilton fights back —

Hamilton pats his Mercedes car after it propelled him to victory at the Shanghai International Circuit. It was his fifth career win in China and saw the Briton draw level on points with Vettel who came home second. Red Bull's Max Verstappen was third.

Drivers' title race after round 2
Vettel 43 points
Hamilton 43 points
Bottas 23 points

Sakhir: Vettel shines under the lights —

Vettel prevailed in Bahrain after Bottas had claimed a maiden pole in qualifying. During the race Hamilton was handed a five-second stop-go penalty for holding up Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo in the pit lane. Vettel took full advantage eventually cruising to a comfortable win.

Drivers' title race after round 3
Vettel 68 points
Hamilton 61 points
Bottas 38 points

Sochi: Bottas scores maiden win —

After claiming a first-ever pole in Bahrain, Bottas (far right) soared to a maiden F1 victory at the Russian Grand Prix. A fast start enabled the Finn to overtake the two Ferraris at the front of the grid. Vettel chased Bottas hard all the way to the line to claim second. Hamilton finished fourth.

Drivers' title race after round 4
Vettel 86 points
Hamilton 73 points
Bottas 63 points

Barcelona: Hamilton reigns in Spain —

After missing out on a podium in Russia, Hamilton roared back to the top step at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Briton was overtaken by Vettel at the start but Hamilton fought back, dramatically overtaking his title rival later in the race to take the checkered flag. Red Bull's Ricciardo took third -- his first podium of the season after Bottas suffered an engine failure.

Drivers' title race after round 5
Vettel 104 points
Hamilton 98 points
Bottas 63 points

Monte Carlo: Vettel takes third win of season —

Vettel's teammate Kimi Raikkonen claimed his first pole in nine years at Saturday's qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix but it was the German who prevailed in the race after the Finn had led in the early stages. Vettel assumed the lead after pitting slightly later than the Finn and never looked back. Ricciardo finished third with Bottas fourth. Hamilton, meanwhile, who had started 13th on the grid, finished the race in sixth.

Drivers' title race after round 6
Vettel 129 points
Hamilton 104 points
Bottas 75 points

Montreal: Hamilton cuts Vettel's lead —

After a disappointing showing at Monaco, Hamilton produced a driving masterclass in Montreal. In qualifying, he took his 65th career pole -- equaling Ayrton Senna's mark -- before bossing the race, crossing the line 20 seconds ahead of teammate Bottas while Ricciardo pipped Vettel to third.

Drivers' title race after round 7
Vettel 141 points
Hamilton 129 points
Bottas 93 points

Baku: Stroll makes history as title rivals clash —

A chaotic race in Azerbaijan saw both Vettel and Hamilton miss the podium for the first time in 2017. The pair clashed on track during a Safety Car period from which Ricciardo ultimately profited. The Aussie's unlikely win was the fifth of his career, while Williams' teenager driver Lance Stroll (right) took third to become the youngest F1 rookie ever to make the podium.

Drivers' title race after round 8
Vettel 153 points
Hamilton 139 points
Bottas 111 points

Spielberg: Bottas scores second win —

Bottas gave another example of why Mercedes chose him to replace Nico Rosberg at the German team. The Finn dominated the Austrian Grand Prix weekend -- qualifying in pole before keeping Vettel at bay in the race. Hamilton who started from eighth on the grid battled back to fourth.

Drivers' title race after round 9
Vettel 171 points
Hamilton 151 points
Bottas 136 points

Silverstone: Hamilton dominates home race —

Hamilton was simply unstoppable at the British Grand Prix, qualifying more than half-a-second quicker than the Ferraris before delighting home fans with a commanding win. Both Vettel and teammate Raikkonen suffered punctures late in the race. Raikkonen recovered to finish third, but Vettel could only manage seventh, slashing his championship lead over Hamilton to a single point.


Drivers' title race after round 10
Vettel 177 points
Hamilton 176 points
Bottas 154 points

Budapest: Vettel bounces back —

Another race, another twist as this time Ferrari took the honors with Vettel leading teammate Raikkonen home, followed by the two Mercedes. Hamilton finished fourth after letting Bottas through for the final podium spot -- the Finn had let the Brit past earlier in what turned out to be an unsuccessful bid to chase down the two Ferraris.

Drivers' title race after round 11
Vettel 202 points
Hamilton 188 points
Bottas 169 points

Spa: Hamilton makes F1 history —

Hamilton equaled Michael Schumacher's all-time pole record of 68 at the Belgian Grand Prix and then fended off a challenge from Vettel in the final 10 laps to take the checkered flag and his third career victory at Spa Francorchamps.

Drivers' title race after round 12
Vettel 220 points
Hamilton 213 points
Bottas 179 points

Monza: Hamilton wins in Ferrari's back yard —

After trailing Vettel all season, Hamilton finally got his nose in front in the drivers' championship showing a zen-like composure at the Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari, however, had a weekend to forget on home soil. A poor qualifying in wet conditions was followed by a frustrating race. Vettel did squeak onto the podium behind the Mercedes duo, but his title lead had slipped away.

Drivers' title race after round 13
Hamilton 238 points
Vettel 235 points
Bottas 197 points

Marina Bay Street Circuit: Ferrari crashes out —

Disaster strikes for Ferrari in Singapore as both Vettel and Raikkonen crash out on the opening lap -- Raikkonen hit his teammate after colliding with Max Verstappen at the start. Lewis Hamilton, who started from fifth, avoids trouble and quickly assumes the lead which he holds to the checkered flag. The win, his third at the Singapore GP extends the Briton's lead over Vettel to 28 points.

Drivers' title race after round 14
Hamilton 263 points
Vettel 235 points
Bottas 212 points

Sepang International Circuit: Verstappen makes more history —

Max Verstappen celebrates after a superb victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver had endured a miserable run of luck in 2017 with seven retirements in the 14 previous grands prix. But any disappointment was banished in Malaysia as he sped to a second career F1 win. The Dutchman, who turned 20 on September 30, was already the youngest-ever F1 race winner. With victory in Malaysia he is now the second youngest winner too.

Lewis Hamilton was a distant second to Verstappen with Daniel Ricciardo finishing third. Sebastian Vettel crossed the line in fourth after starting in last place, which all means that Hamilton extends his championship lead over Vettel to 34 points.


Drivers' title race after round 15
Hamilton 281 points
Vettel 247 points
Bottas 222 points

Suzuka: Hamilton closes in on fourth title —

Lewis Hamilton took a giant step towards a fourth world title at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Briton led from start to finish to scoop his eighth win of the season while Sebastian Vettel suffered a DNF, limping out with engine issues at the start of the race. The Red Bull pairing of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo enjoyed another good weekend, finishing second and third respectively.

Hamilton's victory means he now has a 59-point lead with four races remaining and will clinch the 2017 drivers' championship if he outscores Vettel by 16 points at the US Grand Prix in Austin on October 22.

Drivers' title race after round 16
Hamilton 306 points
Vettel 247 points
Bottas 234 points

Circuit of the Americas: Hamilton sprints to victory —

Lewis Hamilton wins his fifth race in six grands prix to extend his lead to 66 points over Sebastian Vettel. The German finished second and still has a mathematical chance of winning the 2017 world championship, but Hamilton could wrap up the title at the Mexico Grand Prix on October 29.

Drivers' title race after round 17
Hamilton 331 points
Vettel 265 points
Bottas 244 points

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez: Hamilton makes history —

Lewis Hamilton wins the 2017 world championship to claim his fourth F1 title. The Mercedes driver finished ninth to secure the two points he needed to guarantee Vettel could not catch him in the last two races. After the two collided at the start of the race, Vettel fought back to eventually finish second behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Hamilton was ninth. Verstappen's third F1 win was overshadowed by the towering achievements of Hamilton who became the most successful British driver of all time and only the fifth man in F1 history to win four world championships.

Drivers' title race after round 18
Hamilton 333 points
Vettel 277 points
Bottas 262 points

Interlagos: Vettel back to winning ways —

Sebastian Vettel hadn't won a race since the Hungarian Grand Prix in July. In the intervening period between then and the Mexico Grand Prix, he squandered a 14-point lead and lost sight of Lewis Hamilton as the Briton sped away to a fourth world title. In Brazil, Vettel triumphed once again to record his fifth win of the season and the 47th of his career. Hamilton started the race in last place after crashing out of qualifying early on, but stormed through the field to finish fourth behind Kimi Raikkonen and second-placed Valtteri Bottas.

Drivers' title race after round 19
Hamilton 345 points
Vettel 302 points
Bottas 280 points

Lewis Hamilton beats Sebastian Vettel to win 4th F1 world title

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The Malaysian Grand Prix, round 15/20 of the 2017 world championship, takes place on Sunday October 3.