Infiniti: No interest in engine badging

Widespread media reports incorrectly suggested that Infiniti's partnership with Red Bull Racing would result in the Milton Keynes-based outfit rebranding its Renault engines for 2011.

However, Renault is not only maintaining the naming of its power-units but it is also keeping the increased branding presence on Red Bull Racing's cars that it enjoyed at the end of last year.

Renault's logos will appear on the engine covers and drivers' visors, while Infiniti's branding will appear on the rear wing, nose and drivers' overalls.

When asked by AUTOSPORT about if there had ever been a plan for the engines to be rebranded, Infiniti's senior vice president Andy Palmer said: "No. Infiniti is all about being genuine - so rebranding an engine would not have been genuine.

"Obviously there is a very strong relationship between Renault and Nissan anyway. Through the alliance partnership, Renault owns 44 per cent of Nissan and Nissan owns 15 per cent of Renault, so there is obviously a strong linkage there, but simply changing the badge on an engine would not have been a genuine thing to do.

"So Renault will continue to be the supplier of engines to Red Bull, and our involvement is very much about working together on the car itself."

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said that Infiniti's partnership with his outfit would not affect its relationship with Renault.

"We will continue to work closely with our colleagues at Viry-Chatillon, and their name will remain on the car for the foreseeable future," he said.

"Renault has introduced us, through the alliance, to colleagues at Nissan and Infiniti, and that partnership will be working in tandem with Renault, but mainly focusing on some of the future technologies with an eye on what the future engine [from 2013] will possibly be."