Red Bull and Arrows to develop US racing plan.

The Arrows F1 team has confirmed that leading energy drink brand, Red Bull, will continue its sponsorship of the Leafield operation into the 2002 season, whilst also branching out into the IRL.

The famous and distinctive Red Bull logo will be exclusively displayed on the all-new Cosworth engined Arrows A23 cars, representing the start of a wider, more inclusive, relationship between Red Bull, Arrows and sister company TWR.

As part of this new relationship, and to support its USA marketing drive, Red Bull has also decided to become a major sponsor of the TWR affiliated Indy Racing League operation, Team Cheever. Team Cheever, which uses the TWR-developed Nissan Infiniti engine, will be a serious IRL title contender in the 2002 series and at the Indy 500 in the hands of former F1 star Eddie Cheever and, possibly, Briton Mark Blundell.

"I have been very impressed with the vision and drive that has made Red Bull so successful to date," commented Arrows team principal and chairman of TWR, Tom Walkinshaw, "This announcement represents the first fruits of our collaboration in the important US market, and I am delighted that, through our varied motorsport activities, both Arrows and TWR are able to provide a platform for Red Bull's global marketing strategies, now and in the future".

"Tom and I share the same vision of wanting to develop a US motorsport strategy alongside our Formula One interests," added Red Bull boss Dieter Mateschitz, "I am pleased to confirm therefore that the Red Bull logo will be seen at the heart of US motorsport in the IRL with Team Cheever, as well as in Formula One with Arrows."

Jos Verstappen has already signed a contract with Arrows for 2002, but Red Bull protege Enrique Bernoldi remains in limbo.