Red Bull names Neat as partner while Williams and Duracell extend, as Robert Shwartzman bids Ferrari goodbye ahead of IndyCar move.
Red Bull –
Oracle Red Bull Racing and Neat, the pioneering leader in world-class video technology, are proud to announce a new three-year partnership naming Neat as the team’s exclusive Video Conferencing Hardware and Innovation Partner. As part of the agreement, Oracle Red Bull Racing will integrate Neat devices throughout the organization to support creative and flexible collaboration for the championship winning team.
With an aim of growing global awareness and expanding its position as a leader in video technology, partnering with Oracle Red Bull Racing was a natural choice for Neat to make for its first partnership within the Formula 1 sphere. With a massive global audience, Formula 1 is one of the world’s most popular sports and Oracle Red Bull Racing is one of its premier teams.
Beginning in 2025, Neat will be featured on Oracle Red Bull Racing’s RB21 car, pit crew helmets and track displays. Neat will have access to race paddocks and garage throughout the season for hospitality events with customers and partners. Oracle Red Bull Racing will also use Neat video technology devices in the organization, bringing the team together for creative, flexible collaboration.
Christian Horner, Team Principal and CEO of Oracle Red Bull Racing said: “With our shared commitment to innovation and excellence, we are excited to welcome Neat to the Oracle Red Bull Racing Team and look forward to working together to support simple and immersive collaboration experiences for our organization. Close teamwork, passion, and creativity are key to the Team’s success on the track, and Neat’s video technology will allow us to collaborate at our best.”
Janine Pelosi, CEO of Neat said: “Oracle Red Bull Racing is known around the world as a team that has achieved the highest level of success in Formula 1 racing, and we are pleased to join them as a partner. Neat’s passion for delivering simple yet powerful collaboration experiences align perfectly with the Oracle Red Bull Racing team’s dedication to bringing a complex organization together to achieve success. This partnership brings the Neat brand to a large global audience while staying true to our core ethos of bringing people together with our elegant and powerful video devices.”
Robert Shwartzman –
As he moves to IndyCar in 2025 with Prema Racing, Shwartzman has bid goodbye to not only the Ferrari F1 team, but also its WEC team AF Corse. “Driving for Ferrari has been one of the best experiences in my life,” he wrote.
“I’ll never forget the feeling of driving a Scuderia Ferrari F1 car for the first time, I’ll always be grateful for every single lap, every experience and it has been such a privilege to work with some of the most talented and bright people in racing.
“I know my time with the Team has shaped me into a better driver and I’m ready to carry all the memories with me into my next adventure. Grazie mille to all the tifosi who have always been so supportive over the years and last but not least to everyone in the team who has believed in me, encouraged me and helped me along this journey I am truly thankful. See you soon & Forza Ferrari!”
Williams –
Williams Racing and Duracell are thrilled to announce a multi-year extension to their powerful Formula 1 partnership on the eve of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Duracell, a true household name as the world’s leading battery manufacturer, was one of the first global brands to join Williams’ comeback mission when they joined forces with the team for a North American partnership ahead of the 2022 season.
Since then the alliance has grown into a global partnership known for its eye-catching activations such as the incorporation of the iconic copper and black battery into the Williams airbox, supported by captivating fan engagement on social media, innovative retail activations and multi-market TV ad campaigns.
The Duracell airbox will continue into 2025 when the FW47 will be driven by Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz – one of the most formidable driver line-ups on the grid. Duracell’s logo and instantly-recognisable colours will remain featured on the drivers’ helmet visors, and the team’s devices will benefit from Duracell’s unique Power Boost ingredients.
The announcement hails a new and exciting era for the partnership of two icons driven by performance and cutting-edge technology, united by a determination to think differently and never stop pushing forward. It comes on the eve of the Las Vegas GP, where Williams is turning the DRS flaps on Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto’s FW46 rear wings into the look of a Duracell battery and changing the colour of the DRS button to iconic copper to tie in with Duracell’s sponsorship of the race’s DRS zone.
Duracell also becomes the third long-term partner in recent weeks to extend its relationship with Williams, joining Kraken and Gulf Oil International in another vote of confidence for the team’s ongoing transformation in pursuit of championship success.
James Bower, Commercial Director, Williams Racing: “Williams are proud to have Duracell powering our comeback journey into 2025 and beyond as we continue building long-lasting relationships with industry-leading brands that share our vision and values. The partnership has delivered memorable moments and iconic branding that has become a fan favourite on our cars, and we look forward to the next chapter as we continue building momentum.”
Ramón Velutini, Global CMO, Duracell: “We are excited to extend our partnership with Williams Racing as we continue to support their journey towards getting back on top of the grid. Our shared passion for performance and relentless pursuit of improvement makes Williams Racing a perfect fit for Duracell. Both Williams Racing and Duracell are ‘Built Different,’ embodying the belief that ‘good enough’ is never enough. I’m particularly thrilled that our exclusive ‘Power Boost Ingredients™’ technology will be powering their devices, both on and off the track.”
Here’s Christian Horner on Red Bull Junior Team
Here’s David Coulthard undertaking demo run in Africa
Here’s Christian Horner, James Vowles on Franco Colapinto
Here’s Williams showcasing BTS of repair work
Here’s news on Carlos Sainz testing for Williams
Here’s more on Williams livery for Las Vegas GP
Here’s link to a F1 Discord channel, join in to interact
[The story is as per press release]