Infiniti and Red Bull unveiled the new RB9 Formula 1 car ahead of the 2013 season debut. Due to a new four-year agreement, Infiniti is now a title partner and can put its name before Red Bull’s and become more than just a sponsor. They are also Red Bull’s Vehicle Performance Partner.

The RB9 is one of the most important cars on the 2013 grid, as it carries a lot of weight on its shoulder defending the team’s Formula One Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles, and also because it will be driven by triple World Formula One Champion Sebastian Vettel and nine-time grand prix winner Mark Webber.

Seeing as the 2013 cars are pretty much the same as last year models, save a few aerodynamic changes, the RB9 should not have a hard time defending its crown – at least not on paper. More drastic changes will come in 2014, when all cars will be powered by the new V6 Turbo motors. That’s going to stir things up.

Infiniti is looking at its partnership with Red Bull as an opportunity to use Formula 1 technologies in development of their new sports cars. They will also milk this relationship for publicity, as they did last year with the launch of Infiniti FX Vettel Edition.