Red Bull swaps Honda branding for Acura at COTA

The Red Bull and AlphaTauri teams will bring the Acura name back into Formula 1 next weekend at the US Grand Prix in Austin.

Acura enjoyed a regular presence at Canadian and US races in the 1980s and 1990s, featuring on the visors of F1 legends Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, but the last time the brand appeared in the sport was 14 years ago at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Honda will officially exit F1 at the end of the season, but will showcase the Acura name on the rear wings of Red Bull and AlphaTauri's cars as well as on the driving suits and helmet visors of the teams' drivers, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda.

• Read also: Tost hints at divided Honda decision to quit F1

"As Honda’s high-performance marque in North America it seems only right and proper that Acura should be present at the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1 and we are delighted to welcome them back for this year’s United States Grand Prix," commented Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner.

"I remember Alain Prost winning the US Grand Prix in 1989 with Acura on his visor, so hopefully having the brand with us this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas will bring us the same result."

Masashi Yamamoto, Honda F1’s Managing Director said: "It’s very special to have Acura become part of our partnership with Red Bull Racing Honda and Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda for the United States Grand Prix 2021.

"This has been an incredible F1 season so far and we are proud to add the Acura brand to our story for this iconic F1 race in America."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter