Red Bull Racing has finally confirmed that its 2016 Renault engine will be badged as TAG Heuer.
The decision allows the French manufacturer to put its full support behind the works former Lotus team and allows both parties to distances themselves from this year’s troubled relationship.
In addition the works team will benefit from extra technical support from Ilmor which has been orchestrated by Red Bull.
In a statement the team said: “The new partnership, which represents a shift away from F1’s conventional supply systems, will see TAG Heuer take up naming rights of the team’s power unit, which will be supplied by Renault. The new car will be christened the Red Bull Racing-TAG Heuer RB12.”
“TAG Heuer and Red Bull are two transcendent brands which have both a passion for racing and a drive to do things differently,” said Christian Horner. “And this unique collaboration is further evidence of that. TAG Heuer has been an icon in the world of Formula One for many years and we’re delighted that they’ve chosen to continue their association with the sport by teaming up with us.
“Our shared values of innovation and a desire to stand out from the crowd make this one of the most exciting partnerships in F1. We are also pleased to see Renault confirm its long-term commitment to F1 and would like to thank them for their contribution to the team since 2007. Their technical partnership with Ilmor gives us confidence, and we look forward to the 2016 season.”
Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer added: “Formula One is deeply-rooted in TAG Heuer’s DNA, and Red Bull Racing is a young, dynamic and driven team, which perfectly fits with our marketing strategy. It will give TAG Heuer great visibility and allow us to make our partnership exciting, different and innovative. Our motto #DontCrackUnderPressure will be the guiding principle behind all our actions with the support of the Red Bull Racing team and its highly contagious enthusiasm.”
Adam Cooper F1 
TAG Heuer should have looked at the publicity Renault received from Red Bull’s successes before they put a lot of money onto what is only a nameplate. We all know who’s name will be Mud if the engine fails to win every race next year.
Really? A TAG Heuer “branded” engine? Wonder how many times a lap a DR and DK will have to stop to wind it up? Oh, my bad, you wind watches…
Missed the Tag branded Porsche engine in the back of the McLaren all those years ago?
Egg on face moment …
They really said “christened?” That’s a little archaic for the self styled coolest brand in F1.
Hello Adam, I’ve lost track of what engine has gotten re-badged as what in recent years. Wasn’t Playlife a Renault? What was the Asiatech? Mecachrome was a BMW, I think. Or was that Megatron? I was wondering if you could give us a quick brief on what engines were re-badged as what in the past.
http://www.lmgtfy.com
Ludicrous… Sure, plaster TAG-Heuer all over the car. I get that. But pretend that the company had ANYTHING AT ALL to do with the engine? That’s branding that fools absolutely no one. Even Infiniti was a head-scratcher, but at least they have a link to Renault.