It’s certainly been an action-packed first Formula 1 season since PokerStars announced a partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing back in January.
Not only have players been able to winonce-in-a-lifetime F1 experiences, but thousands of dollars in prizes have been awarded in Chequered Flag Freerolls and Pitstop Cash Drops over the course of the season.
And to round out the season in style, PokerStars got together at Red Bull Racing’s headquarters in Milton Keynes for a special wrap party to celebrate the success of the partnership and help raise money for ‘Wings for Life’, a not-for-profit spinal cord research foundation with a special charity poker tournament.
PokerStars and Red Bull Racing Looking to the Future
In addition to the tournament, PokerStars Presenter and Commentator James Hartigan chaired a panel between Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and PokerStars Director Of Partnerships, PR and Consumer Engagement Rebecca McAdam Willetts.
McAdam Willets was asked what the next steps are after such a successful first year of partnership.
“We want to do things that reach out to the Red Bull Racing fan base,” she said. “Just heighten their experience and take it to a new level. We’re obviously excited about Las Vegas and the return to Monaco. In 2022 we had a yacht right by the track, so who knows what we’ll do next.
Epic Scenes as Formula 1 Car Drives Through Vegas Casino
“There’s also some new content that you will have seen being teased, so we’re excited about that. We’re just getting started!”
Meanwhile, Horner was asked what the similarities were when it comes to both Formula 1 and poker.
“I suppose we’re always looking at how we can improve car operations, support drivers and just get better. It’s never enough. Complacency has no place, certainly in Formula 1.
“We’ve got some massive opponents and they’ll be turbocharged this winter, having taken a bit of a drubbing. They’ll want to come back and give us a hard time next year.”
Ambassadors and Qualifiers Enjoy Exclusive Red Spade Pass Experience at Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix
The panel also discussed who within the Formula 1 paddock they would want to come up against across the felt.
“Bernie Ecclestone,” Horner said. “There are a lot of drivers who play; [poker] is hugely popular. The problem is they spend too much time playing, and we have to get them in the car at some point!”
“I’d love to have all the team principals around one poker table,” said McAdam Willets. “We’ve seen what [Sergio Perez] can do when he played in Brazil, but we need to get Max [Verstappen] and Christian together for a game!”
Join PokerStars for a $600 Welcome Bonus
Those of you who do not already have a PokerStars account can download the excellent software via PokerNews. Make your first deposit safe in the knowledge that PokerStars matches your deposit 100% up to a maximum of $600. In fact, your first three deposits in the first 90 days after creating your account are matched 100% up to a combined maximum of $600.
Executive Editor E.U.
Will Shillibier is based in the United Kingdom. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German, and then studied for a NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism at Sportsbeat in Manchester. He previously worked as a freelance live reporter, and video presenter for the World Poker Tour.