The company’s engineers have teamed up with four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel to create the Q50 concept. They have chosen the Eau Rouge name for it. However, one major detail was left out.
The Spa-Francorchamps circuit wants to fight Infiniti’s use of the Eau Rouge name. Eau Rough (“red water”) is a small river, which runs near the circuit. Its name was given to a fast downhill section at Spa-Francorchamps, which is considered to be one of the most challenging corners in Formula 1. Infiniti wanted to name its Q50 concept after this corner.
Back in April, the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack registered “L'Eau Rouge” with the European patent office. Pierre-Alain Thibaut, director of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, said they would not leave it like that: “It’s like they want to steal the brand from the circuit. We consider it exactly the opposite of fair play.” In this case, Infiniti will either have to pay the money or choose a different name for the Q50.
