Why was Red Bull a sponsor of the Sauber C17 in the 1998 Formula One season?

The Red Bull 1998 Sauber C17 marked one of the company's most recognisable sponsorship projects before it became a Formula One team owner. Red Bull 1998 Sauber C17 prints often attract collectors who enjoy tracing the brand's early involvement in Grand Prix racing and the path that led to one of Formula One's most successful teams. Red Bull entered Formula One through sponsorship during the 1990s, as the company supported several teams across different seasons, using the global television audience of Formula One to increase international recognition. Sauber offered an attractive partnership, as the Swiss team had built a strong reputation for engineering, professionalism and steady progress after entering the championship in 1993. The Sauber C17 carried prominent Red Bull branding throughout the 1998 season. Jean Alesi and Johnny Herbert drove the car across all 16 championship races, powered by a Ferrari-designed V10 engine carrying the Petronas name, the C17 collected 10 championship points and finished sixth in the Constructors' Championship. Jean Alesi produced the season's best result with third place at the Belgian Grand Prix, giving Red Bull valuable television exposure during one of the year's most memorable races. The partnership reflected Red Bull's growing interest in motorsport, as the company had already built links with rallying, motorcycle racing and extreme sports before expanding its presence in Formula One.