F1 News: Red Bull Racing & PokerStars Unite with Multi-Year Deal

Online poker’s love affair with Formula 1 is prospering. In 2021 PartyPoker became a long-term sponsor of the McLaren Formula 1 team. Last week it was announced PokerStars have signed a similar agreement with the Red Bull team.

PokerStars have clearly been encouraged by the results from the trackside virtual advertising it had bought from the sport in 2021. The leading online poker room has that agreement in place until the end of the 2022 season, but the PokerStars logo only appears in European homes.

Under the terms of their new partnership agreement with Red Bull Racing PokerStars will have its logo on the team’s cars and also drivers’ uniforms. This will dramatically increase the company’s global reach.  The collaboration will be visible throughout PokerStars’ entire product portfolio, including PokerStars Casino, PokerStars, and PokerStars Sports.

Doubtlessly PokerStars will attempt to optimize their tie-up with Red Bull which is likely to result in individual tournaments and promotions that offer players access to races, Red Bull’s VIP area and potential meetings with the team’s drivers – new World Champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

Epic Experience for Fans and Players

Confirming that approach Dan Taylor, the CEO of Flutter International the owners of PokerStars said: “Red Bull Racing is an ideal fit for PokerStars because it’s not just about what you offer fans and players but the ethos and vision behind how you offer it.

“Part of our vision for PokerStars is to create the world’s most epic casino, built on player experiences, giving our community moments they’ll never forget.

“Red Bull Racing’s phenomenal success is built on their bold, innovative, and passionate ethos, which has led to incredible success both on the track and in becoming one of the world’s most popular sports brands.

“We’re looking forward to working with the Team and sharing further developments as the 2022 season approaches. We wish the Red Bull Racing team all the best for their new campaign.”

Max to Star at Stars Event?

It is unlikely, but not impossible, to foresee one of Red Bull Racing’s two drivers playing at a PokerStars event this year. But a personal appearance at the PokerStars organized Monaco EPT (European Poker Tour) could be on the cards. It is believed 14 of the current drivers in Formula 1 live in Monaco. This includes Max Verstappen.

Interestingly former Formula 1 racer Jaime Alguersuari has played at PokerStars events in the past. He had three seasons at Toro Rosso – Red Bull’s sister team – between 2009 and 2011.

Three-time race winner Giancarlo Fisichella – who finished off his Formula 1 career with four races at Ferrari – was sponsored by PartyPoker for a short time and also played in some live poker tournaments.

Perhaps the best-known poker-playing Formula 1 driver is Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard is believed to have a home game every week during the off-season and he does not mind Tweeting about his success.