Tuesday, 10 June 2014

Could Ben Ainslie link up with Newey and Red Bull as he launches British America's Cup bid?

(boatdesign.net)

Sir Ben Ainslie could get be in line to approach Red Bull and Adrian Newey about the possibility of the pair working on a British entry for the 2017 America's Cup event. 

Ainslie met with Newey for a catch up at the 2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after which he said that he would love to Newey on board to help him with his bid win the America's Cup. Speaking to the BBC Radio 5 last year Ainslie said:

'Adrian is a big sailing fan. There's the potential for him perhaps to get involved, cast his eye over our design team and what we're looking at doing.

At the time of the meeting last season Newey explained that he was committed to Red Bull for the foreseeable future however the news that he will step back from the day to day involvement in Formula from next year means that the 55 year old will have more time to pursue other ventures.

Ainslie was in London on Tuesday to launch the process of getting the project off the ground with the help of the Duchess of Cambridge.

Newey has made no secret of the fact that he would like to work on a America's Cup project in fact when he decided to take the sabbatical from McLaren in 2005 that had been his plan until he was persuaded to join Red Bull in 2006.

The design phase of an America' Cup vessel would be very similar to that of a Formula One car and it would also provide Newey with the new challenge that he says he is looking for. This could also potentially form part of the new projects that Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner elluded to when in Canada following the announcement of the deal with Newey.

©Ben Johnston 2014

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