Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver and triple Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel, was named as Infiniti’s director of performance on the opening day of the New York International Auto Show.
This appointment extends and enhances Vettel’s relationship with Infiniti, which formally began in 2011. In this capacity, he already has played a crucial role in developing Infiniti’s vehicle line-up, starting with the exclusive Infiniti FX Vettel Edition and most recently with the new Infiniti Q50.
Infiniti president Johan de Nysschen said: “Sebastian’s talent and ability behind the wheel is unquestionable and his role in developing Infiniti vehicles has already proven invaluable. How many premium automotive brands can honestly say its vehicles have been developed alongside a triple world champion?
“As our technical collaboration with Infiniti Red Bull Racing continues to deepen, so does our relationship with Sebastian who will be crucial to the development of our future vehicle line-up, ensuring Infiniti stands for passion and performance in a brand that challenges the status quo.”
Vettel has been central to the development of the new Infiniti Q50 from its early stages. He spent time with Infiniti engineers in Japan, providing them with his world-class chassis dynamics, performance and handling feedback.
“I am really happy to extend my relationship with Infiniti and become their director of performance,” said Vettel.
“Helping to develop the Infiniti Q50 was a very different type of driving duty for me. I am looking forward to working closely with Infiniti to develop more of their road cars in the future.”