Red Bull could lose title sponsor Infiniti

Red Bull could be set to lose their major title sponsor Infiniti.

Just as theWorld Champion team is faltering on the pre-season test circuits, Sport Bild reports that luxury Nissan brand Infiniti does not intend to renew its Red Bull deal beyond 2015.

Reports estimate the value of the deal, involving team naming rights and a conspicuous purple presence on the Red Bull livery, at €40 million per year.

It is believed that Infiniti is baulking because it wanted to move beyond merely being a financial partner to the top Formula 1 team.

"We know that Infiniti had hopes for a greater technical cooperation," Red Bull's Helmut Marko acknowledged.

Former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger, a close confidante of team owner Dietrich Mateschitz, commented: "If anyone can overcome the loss of a sponsor, it is Red Bull." (GMM)

Subbed by AJN.