Red Bull Switches to BMW Sponsorship in DTM

Red BullRed BullAustria, 2004 > present12 models
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has become one of the hottest names in motorsports over the last 20 years. The Austrian energy drink company started sponsoring cars in national series in Germany and Austria, and today it is four-time Formula One Constructors’ Champion. For 2014, Red Bull is switching allegiances in the DTM and will be sponsoring BMW’sBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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new M4BMW M4Germany, 2013 > present DTM, rather than AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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, its previous partner.

“It is not only the fact that Red Bull has won four Formula One World Championships in a row that make it such a big name in motorsport, and thus a very attractive Premium Partner for us,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

The M4 DTM driven by Portuguese driver Antonio Félix da Costa will carry the new Red Bull livery from the first race of the season at Hockenheim on May 4.

It will be da Costa’s first season in the DTM. He has raced in the Formula Renault 3.5 series in 2013 and GP3 in 2012 and finished in third both seasons. He is a member of the Red Bull Junior Team and has tested for Formula 1.

“Like Red Bull, we have the opportunity to ensure that Antonio continues to develop quickly and to make him an even better racing driver,” said Marquardt.

Audi won the drivers’ and teams’ championships last season in the DTM, but BMW took the manufacturers’’ championship.

BMW has not yet released images of either the M4 DTM or the Red Bull livery.