Motorsport Technology‘Red Bull Gives You Wings’, is now one of the most famous advertising slogans in the world.
Yet when energy drinks magnate Dietrich Mateschitz took a punt on buying out the ailing Jaguar Racing team in 2004, many impartial observers thought it really was on a wing and a prayer.
Four constructors’ and drivers’ titles later, Red Bull Racing is now one of the leading players in Formula One, no small amount of thanks due to the mighty combination of Sebastian Vettel and genius aerodynamicist and designer Adrian Newey.
In only the team’s fifth season on the grid, Vettel and teammate Mark Webber catapulted the team to second in the constructors’ championship before an amazing run followed, the German ace claiming four consecutive drivers’ titles.
Since then, under the shrewd guidance of charismatic team boss Christian Horner, the team has never been lower than fourth in the constructors’ standings and has its sights firmly set on a return to the top.
Without doubt, Red Bull Racing is a prime example of entrepreneurship done well, and assembling the best components working in absolute harmony to achieve the very best results.
With Honda power driving the chassis in 2019 and two of the most exciting drivers on the grid in Max Verstappen and Toro Rosso graduate Pierre Gasly, Red Bull Racing could be the dark horse in the pack to upset Mercedes and Ferrari at the top of the order.
STRENGTHS: The team has big financial backing from its energy drinks magnate and always attracts the best drivers, engineers and aerodynamicists. Christian Horner marshals his troops excellently and once again they have a driver line-up and chassis to be feared.
WEAKNESSES: After the woes of Renault engine reliability in 2018, the team goes into a new season with a new supplier in Honda for 2019. Despite having Toro Rosso acting as the test bed in 2018, the reliability of the new Powertrain is far from assured.
Craig Scarborough
Fraser Masefield