F1 News: Red Bull Pokes Fun At Lando Norris After Monster Energy Partnership - "Always Have Your Back"

Red Bull doesn't hold back!

Red Bull has poked fun at McLaren driver Lando Norris with a social media post featuring him drinking a Red Bull energy drink, coinciding with the British team's announcement of a new partnership with Monster Energy.

Key Takeaways:

• Major Sponsorship Shift: Monster Energy, a leading name in motorsports sponsorship, has transitioned from Mercedes to McLaren Racing, beginning with the 2024 Formula 1 season.
• Enhanced Fan Engagement: The partnership aims to boost fan experiences and generate unique content, capitalizing on Monster Energy's commitment to athlete celebration and fan interaction.
• Increased Visibility on McLaren Assets: Starting in 2024, Monster Energy's branding will be prominently displayed on McLaren F1 Team assets, including drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's helmets, race suits, caps, and drinks bottles.

Red Bull Racing, after taking their first 1-2 Driver Championship in the history of the team, took a playful jab at Lando Norris via Instagram yesterday. The post saw a video of Norris sipping a Red Bull, accompanied by a hilarious tongue-in-cheek caption: 

"DW @landonorris, we’ll always have your back in your moment of need #givesyouwings." 

This light-hearted poke came on the heels of McLaren announcing a "multi-year" partnership with Monster Energy, a direct competitor of Red Bull in the energy drink market.

The transition of Monster Energy's sponsorship from Mercedes to McLaren represents a significant shift in the Formula 1 sponsorship landscape. Rodney Sacks, Chair and Co-CEO of Monster Energy expressed gratitude towards Mercedes and Toto Wolf for their longstanding partnership while looking forward to the new journey with McLaren Racing. He remarked:

"Monster is focused on enhancing fan experiences and partnering with a world-class team and its elite drivers to share our passion with F1’s global audience. We are planning some really exciting programs with Lando and Oscar and are excited to go racing together from 2024.”

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, welcomed the partnership with Monster Energy.

“We are delighted to join forces with the iconic Monster Energy brand from next season onwards. Monster focuses on celebrating athletes through bold ideas and creating awesome content, so we can’t wait to explore ideas and find new ways to engage and entertain our fans.”

The partnership follows McLaren's impressive performance in the recent Formula 1 season, with Norris playing a key role in securing fourth place in the constructors' championship. 

Despite challenges, including tyre degradation and a slow pit stop at the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Norris's early pace was commendable, as were McLaren's potent upgrades earlier in the season.