F1 Australian GP: Aston Martin forms F1-hypercar partnership with Red Bull

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F1 Australian GP: Aston Martin forms F1-hypercar partnership with Red Bull - Aston Martin's iconic branding will feature in the 2016 Formula 1 World Championship this season after the British marque finalised a deal to work with Red Bull Racing on a 'hypercar' project codenamed 'AM-RB 001'.

The firm was first linked with a move into F1 through a branding deal with Red Bull Racing last year as a result of the relationship the team had built with new Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer, who previously helmed its former F1 title sponsor Infiniti.

However, negotiations were put on hold and Aston Martin seemed close to a deal with Force India instead, though these talks went cold over the winter, with Red Bull reviving contact.

Ahead of the 2016 season, Red Bull has now revealed it has signed a deal with Aston Martin as part of a plan to work on a road car together. In return, Aston Martin branding will run on the car, with the logo appearing on the sidepods and the nose.

The more significant part of the 'Innovation Partnership', however, is the collaboration on a brand new 'hypercar' Aston Martin is developing in conjunction with Red Bull designer Adrian Newey. Codenamed AM-BR 001 and teased in the below silhouette image, the car marks Red Bull's first foray into road car development and will see Aston Martin look to create one of the world's fastest and most technologically advanced machines.

"This is a very exciting project for everyone at Red Bull Racing,” said Christian Horner. “Through this Innovation Partnership the iconic Aston Martin logo will return to grand prix racing for the first time since 1960, and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, led by Adrian, will be using Formula One DNA to produce the ultimate of all road cars.

“It's an incredible project and also realises a dream and vision long held by Adrian to design a road car. We are very much looking forward to what I'm certain will be a successful partnership."

"Formula One offers the ultimate global stage to build wider awareness of the Aston Martin brand,” added Aston Martin CEO Palmer. “However, this partnership will deliver even more than that when the hypercar that Aston Martin and Adrian Newey are in the process of developing hits the road.

“Between Q by Aston Martin Advanced, Red Bull Advanced Technologies and project partner AF Racing AG, we are going to create a car that will excite and stir the imaginations of the car designers of the future and a global audience of sports car enthusiasts.”