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Hisense has partnered with Infiniti Red Bull Racing to become one of this leading Formula One team’s official suppliers. Importantly for Australia, this is the team that rising superstar and owner of winning smile Daniel Ricciardo drives for, along with his Russian teammate Daniil Kvyat.
This is the latest in a string of sports sponsorships for the Chinese TV and appliance manufacturer, following deals with the Australian Open tennis tournament, German football club Schalke 04 and NASCAR racing in the United States.
Fittingly, the announcement was made in Shanghai, on the eve of the 2015 Chinese Grand Prix.
“Infiniti Red Bull Racing is one of the most successful and most talked about teams in a sport renowned for technology, teamwork and competitiveness,” said Hisense executive vice president Dr Lan Lin. “Like Infiniti Red Bull Racing, we are a proud challenger brand and we continually innovate our best-in-class consumer products to stay ahead of the others. We look forward to sharing these with the team to help them throughout the season.”
After the first two races of the season, Red Bull sits in sixth place on the Constructors’ Championship table, behind Mercedes, Ferrari, Williams-Mercedes, Sauber-Ferrari and Toro Rosso. Daniel Ricciardo is currently eight in the Drivers’ Championship, 34 points behind leader Lewis Hamilton.
Team principal Christian Horner welcomed the partnership.
“Everyone associated with Infiniti Red Bull Racing is delighted to welcome Hisense to our team,” he said. “Their approach to innovation and technological development is impressive and we look forward to our partnership developing as the season unfolds.”
Hisense currently markets TVs, tablets, refrigerators, freezers, wine cabinets and washing machines in Australia. Its products are sold at Betta Home Living, Bing Lee, The Good Guys, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Retravision, among other retailers.