Red Bull Racing is the 2010 World Constructors Champions and Red Bull driver, Sebastian Vettel, is the 2010 World Drivers' Champion. The Team is based in the U.K., but drives under an Austrian licence, being owned by the Austrian drinks company Red Bull. Dietrich Mateschitz, the visionary owner of Red Bull has brilliantly used the race team to promote the drinks company whilst at the same time build a championship winning race team.  The appointment of the incredibly successful race car designer Adrian Newey as head of engineering and the gifted driver Sebastian Vettel were highly instrumental in producing a team capable of beating Ferrari and McLaren after just five race seasons.

Red Bull Facts and Stats

Base:	Milton Keynes, Buck, U.K.
Team Principal:	Christian Horner
Technical Chief:	Adrian Newey
Drivers:	Sebastian Vettel (No. 1)
	Mark Webber (No. 2)
Chassis:	Renault RB 7
Engine:	Renault
Tyres:	Pirelli
First Season:	2005
Constructor Championships:	1	2010
Driver Championships:	1	Sebastian Vettel (2010)

The drinks company Red Bull first became involved in F1 as a sponsor of the Sauber team in 1995. However, it was in 2005 that the involvement was radically upgraded to team ownership. To explain the origins of today's Red Bull team it is sensible to go back to the Stewart Grand Prix team that debuted in 1997, the team struggled and was sold to the Ford Motor Company that branded the team Jaguar Racing. The Jaguar team had a name with great pedigree but such inspired little success in five years of racing.

At the end of the 2004 season, Red Bull purchased the team for a symbolic US$1, plus a commitment to invest US$400M over the next three years. In 2005, Red Bull Racing took to the track with the experienced David Coulthard and the rookie Christian Klien as the drivers. David Coulthard had when he joined Red Bull won 13 Grand Prix, and had finished second in the Drivers' championship in 2001, and third in four seasons 1995, 1997, 1998 & 2000. (Coulthard made and important contribution to the development of the team, although in his four years driving for Red Bull he did not win a race, and was on the podium just twice. [Monaco 3rd, 2006 and Canada 3rd 2008]). The team principle was Christian Horner, who at that time was the youngest team boss in the paddock.

The inaugural season produced a modest success, finishing in seventh place, but such was a big improvement on the Jaguar years, and they finished in the points in a number of races. 

For the 2006 season, the team changed engine suppliers from Ford Cosworth to Ferrari, however by far the most important development was the appointment of the very highly successful Adrian Newey as technical director. (Adrian Newey designed cars have won Constructors' and Drivers' championships at both Williams and McLaren, and as of 2010 Red Bull, winning more than 80 Grand Prix).

The 2006 season was notable for the teams first podium finish, Coultard was third at the Monaco GP, however, the remaining results were once again reasonable but somewhat modest, and the team finished in seventh place.

Adrian Newey designed the car for the 2007 season, powered by a Renault engine, and Mark Webber joined the team to race alongside David Coultard. The car was faster but was struggling for reliability, the team recorded retirements of one or both drivers 14 times in the season, but the better results when the car completed the race ensured the team finished in fifth place in the championship, and Webber recorded the team's second podium finish, by coming third in the European GP. 

The 2008 season was interesting, the team was beginning to show signs of technical progress, the car's reliability improved, but the driver's particularly Coultard seemed a little off the pace. Incredibly, Red Bull's "B" team Toro Rosso that is also owned by Red Bull was in the late season out performing its big brother. (Toro Rosso was using Ferrari engines and it seemed to be producing more power than the Renault engine used by Red Bull). Toro Rosso also had another big advantage;  the exceptionally talented young German driver Sebastian Vettel drove for the team and had his maiden victory at the rain-affected Italian GP, (becoming the first Red Bull-owned team to win a race).

Sebastian Vettel replaced David Coultard for the 2009 season. The season was remarkable for Red Bull, but will be ever overshadowed by the story of Brawn's double championship win in their inaugural season. Nevertheless, the development of Sebastian Vettel and the establishment of Red Bull in the upper echelons will have a longer-term effect.

At the third race of the season, the Chinese GP, Vettel secured the team's first pole position and the team's first win, Webber was appropriately in second place. The significance of the win was huge, it demonstrated that the team had taken a big step forward and was a serious race outfit.  

Further proof of the team's emergence from the mid-running teams followed quickly, Vettel finishing second in Bahrain, and Webber finishing on the podium in Spain (just ahead of Vettel in fourth), and then a two three in Turkey. Vettel claimed pole and again won at the British GP, the one two at the German GP was remarkable because it was Webber's first victory in 130 starts. Webber won again in Brazil and Vettel won in the seasons last race in Abu Dhabi. Incredibly, the young German Vettel was second in the Drivers' championship, Webber perhaps even more remarkably for a hitherto journeyman was fourth.

The second place in the Constructors' championship, behind the incredible and remarkable Brawn team was testament to the considerable driving skills of Vettel and the engineering prowess of Adrian Newey.

Retaining Sebastian Vettel for the 2010 season was a given, he was hotly tipped at the start of his career as a future world champion; he was also young and very cool under pressure. Many in the media like Webber, he was always good for a quote or an opinion, whilst some would like him to win the championship more felt he lacked the instincts to achieve greatness, that he would, in a pressured situation, change his style and either be too cautious or too reckless.

The 2010 season was remarkable; in the pre-season build-up it was assumed that four teams, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull would be in contention, and that five drivers Alonso, Hamilton, Button, Schumacher and Vettel would compete for the title. It soon became apparent that Mercedes and Schumacher were off the pace, and that Webber was in the mix.  

In Bahrain, the first race of the season, Vettel qualified on pole and led for much of the race, but spark-plug failure caused him to slow, he finished in fourth, but had already demonstrated his speed. Australia was even more frustrating; a one two qualifying, Vettel leading for much of the race until retirement due to brake failure, and Webber struggling at the start and dropping back, an incident with Hamilton meant he had to pit for a new nose, and finished the race in ninth.

Malaysia was ominous for the rest of the grid, once again a Red Bull on pole (Webber), and with no mechanical issues and with an incredible driving display by Vettel, including overtaking his teammate, Red Bull finished one two.

Incredibly, a Red Bull was on pole in China, Spain, Monaco and Turkey. Webber won in Spain and in Monaco the team scored another one two. Vettel was behind Webber on points, primarily because his car lacked the reliability, but the team were demonstrating incredible car speed.

Webber and Vettel are very different characters; Vettel remained calm and composed under the pressure of success and expectations, Webber become increasingly ill at ease, and his lack of composure was perhaps the cause of his frequent driver errors. Webber was on pole at the Turkish GP, Vettel third, after a pit stop they were running one two on lap 40. Vettel was very clearly faster than Webber, but as Vettel attempted an overtaking move the cars collided. Vettel was forced to retire and Webber dropped to third place. The first rule in any team is, do not take your teammate out of the race, whilst Webber claimed it was not his fault, it was reported that the team owner believed Webber to be more to blame. Vettel was understandably frustrated, but Webber seemed to adopt a bunker mentality and was openly critical of the team. Christian Horner was not prepared to publically apportion blame to either driver, but instead of seeming even-handed, he appeared to lack the strength to confront his drivers, perhaps in private he dealt with them, but the impression was of a team yet to develop the leadership, discipline and ruthlessness evident in McLaren and Ferrari.

Vettel returned to the top of the podium at the European GP, winning again from pole. Webber had a momentary lapse of concentration and collided with Heikki Kovalainen sending his car into a spectacular aerial flip, before crashing at high speed into the barriers. Remarkably, Webber and Kovalaien were unhurt.

The divisions in the team were exposed once again at the British GP; the team introduced a new front wing, but Vettel damaged his in practice. Team principle Horner instructed that the new wing be taken off Webber's car to be given to Vettel. Webber publically criticised the decision. Vettel started on pole, but following a poor start and a puncture finished in seventh place. Ironically, Webber won, but not content to act in a sporting fashion, commented over the open radio, not bad for the No. 2 driver. Webber seemed oblivious to the reality that his performance evidenced he was indeed the No. 2 driver, and that he was fortunate to be in a top team.

The Hungarian GP was again frustrating for Vettel, who having qualified in pole was in the race given a drive through penalty for exceeding the ten car length maximum distance when driving behind a safety car. He finished in third with Webber taking the win. Red Bull was accumulating the points in many races and the chances of claiming the Constructors' championship were growing, however, many felt that they were still suffering from a lack of championship consistency, and should have capitalised more on their clear speed advantage. The Drivers' championship was still a five-way battle, but it seemed that of the Red Bull drivers that Webber and not Vettel had the momentum. Such was reinforced at the Belgium GP.

Belgium was terrible for Vettel, finishing well outside of the points following several race incidents including colliding with Button in a failed and highly suspect overtaking move. However, the damage to Red Bull was limited because Alonso and Button failed to finish, and although Hamilton won, Webber came a fortunate second. A fourth (Vettel) and sixth (Webber) in Italy was not spectacular, but Singapore was a fabulous two three. The only issue was that Alonso won the race, and his challenge for the championship was now very serious. Nevertheless, a one two in Japan, with Vettel taking the top spot meant that Red Bull were on track for the Constructors' title and that Webber was the Red Bull driver most likely to win the drivers' title.

Korea was awful for Red Bull; Webber made a driving error in the wet conditions and crashed out taking an unlucky Rosberg with him. Vettel had to retire with engine trouble; he was leading the race at the time and looked certain that he would win. Alonso won the race increasing his points advantage and thereby increasing again the pressure on his rivals.

The Brazilian GP was fabulous for Red Bull, recovering magnificently from the disappointment of Korea to claim another one two finish. Vettel's win set up a possibility of his winning the championship at the final race of the season, but Webber still was in a better position to challenge the points leader Alonso.

More importantly the results in Brazil secured Red Bull racing their first Constructors' championship, the first Austrian team to win (the team operates from the UK, but drives under an Austrian flag). It was a magnificent achievement, and whilst many were important in the team, Adrian Newey's contribution is hard to overstate. The car was the best on the grid, and the other teams were playing catch up throughout the season.

Horner was repeatedly asked before the start of the last race in Abu Dhabi if he would issue team orders to help Webber win the Drivers' title. Interestingly Horner refused, saying in effect the faster guy should win, and that he was keen to see a race.

Alonso should have won the title, he was ahead on points of Webber and Vettel, and he was driving a Ferrari. If it was not to be Alonso, Webber should have won, he was leading Vettel and surely he would get the support of the team.

Remarkably, Webber had a very bad day, Alonso / Ferrari made a tactical error, and Vettel won the race and the championship. It was an incredible end to the season, Vettel was the only one of the 'five contenders' (Alonso, Hamilton, Button, Webber & Vettel) not to have lead the championship at any stage during the season, and was plagued by reliability issues.

To do the double in 2010 was an incredible result for Red Bull, the expectations for 2011 are consequently much greater. In retaining Vettel they have a fabulous talent behind the wheel, who with a year's more experience is likely to be even quicker. The retention of Webber for 2011 is somewhat more surprising, he is certainly capable, but others would justly claim to have more talent and youth on their side. Webber's third place finish in the championship has to be put in context; he had the fastest car on the grid with a better reliability record than his partner. He had a chance to win and he let it go to another who was more prepared to risk failure to win.

It is too soon to suggest that Red Bull will be a long-term threat to the big two teams, but few would doubt they will contest the 2011 with the confidence that they are a top team.



 

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