Austria's Red Bull, incidentally, is the world leader in energy
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| A long time sponsor of Ford's motorsport activities, this 3.0-liter Zetec R V10 Cosworth/Ford-powered Sauber in Red Bull livery is seen beached in a gravel trap by Johnny Herbert during the 1996 Buenos Aires, Brazil Grand Prix. (Photo: Red Bull) |
drinks. The firm sponsored Jaguar Racing throughout 2004, and has been extensively involved in Formula One and global motorsport for over a decade. Despite its European roots, Red Bull sees the U.S. as an untapped F1 opportunity, and therefore has been heavily involved in an attempt to groom young American driving talent through its Red Bull Driver Search 2004 and Red Bull Junior program for entry in a future F1 grid. An aptly named, 20-year old Californian driver that looks promising is Scott Speed, achieving the Eurocup and German championship in his first attempt behind the wheel of a Formula Renault car during the 2004 season. Italian 23-year old Vitantonio Liuzzi outclassed his rivals as well, in a Red Bull branded Formula 3000 car that took that series' 2004 championship. Seventeen-year old Formula BMW ADAC driver Sebastian Vettel, also sporting Red Bull colors, stole 18 of a potential 20 top podiums this year, to easily claim the series' championship. And lastly, German Christian Klien comes from a similar lineage as well, graduating from the Red Bull Junior Team to Jaguar Racing last season. It is easy to see that Red
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| Prior to the 1996 Buenos Aires, Brazil Grand Prix, Red Bull Sauber Ford drivers Johnny Herbert (right) and Heinz-Herbert Frentzen (left) enjoy the fans. (Photo: Red Bull) |
Bull is probably the most entrenched open-wheel motorsport sponsor there is, and deserves a spot at the top echelons of the sport.
"Our move to fully owning a Formula One race team makes good business sense for Red Bull," added Mateschitz. "Add to this the opportunity of being directly involved in a sport and activity from which I derive great personal pleasure, then it is easy to understand how delighted I am to have made this purchase. Not only does the ownership of this team represent the high point of our involvement in motor racing, it is also the logical and final step in the process we started with the Red Bull Junior program, where we identify, advise and promote young talent through the different formula from Karting to the very pinnacle - Formula One."
