Autosport – 25 July 2019

DUNBAR

MA

TT

HI
AS

HE

SC

HL

/R
ED

BU

LL

CO

NT

EN

T^ P

OO

L

25 JULY 2019 AUTOSPORT.COM 23

AN UNAPPRECIATED

MAVERICK

F1’s four current engine manufacturers – Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and

Renault – have long F1 narratives as works teams and engine partners,

with various entry and exit points along the way. On the teams’ side,

names such as McLaren and Williams are tethered to the history of F1.

This is something Red Bull simply cannot compete with. However,

asking what Red Bull’s legacy will be – looking forward instead of

judging its relative lack of history that should not be held against it

• puts the organisation in stronger stead.
  Four straight world titles from 2010 to 2013 should mark out that
  period specifically as one of the most impressive in F1 history. That
  alone is a formiddable sporting achievement, representing a peak
  as high as any of the most famous in F1 history. It was only the third
  time that feat had been accomplished, after McLaren (1988-1991)
  and Ferrari (2000-2004). Mercedes joined the list in 2017. That is
  the company Red Bull keeps in terms of pedigree.
  History only counts for so much: just ask teams that have slipped
  competitively (McLaren and Williams) or faded from F1’s existence
  (Lotus and Brabham). Yet it is still a strong emotive influence.
  Without long-standing F1 history, to some people Red Bull
  remains an outcast in the pantheon of F1 giants.

F1 would be poorer without Red Bull’s involvement, although

perhaps Fernando Alonso’s career would have the added gloss of

a couple of extra world titles. The Red Bull story is about more than

paying money to win in F1 and selling expensive fizzy drinks. It has

left an undeniably strong impact in a short space of time.

“Red Bull made F1 more attractive,” says Marko. “Our Energy Station,

our show runs, the way we act. We’re more informal compared to

others. It has brought a real, fresh, positive atmosphere in F1.”

Red Bull’s existence outside of the motor racing world means it’s not

as intrinsically tied to F1 in the same way as Ferrari is. When Ferrari

threatens to quit, you can always question how much the company will lose

• and justifiably doubt whether it will go through with it. If Mateschitz
  pulled the plug, who would lose more: the world’s most marketed energy
  drink company, or the championship that relies on it for four cars, a grand
  prix, countless publicity stunts and a top-class driver conveyor belt?
  Glorified sponsors such as Marlboro are remembered more fondly
  for less than Red Bull has given F1. Maybe others knew their places,
  limiting their involvement to funding drives and taking control of
  car liveries. But Red Bull was not built on following the status quo.
  “We’ve not been afraid to take risks,” says Horner. “And we’ve been
  in no one’s pocket. Red Bull isn’t beholden to a manufacturer. It’s its
  own brand, its own entity and we take our own path in Formula 1.”
  The glory years of 2010 to 2013 are a little way behind now, but
  Red Bull is the only team to have defeated Mercedes this year. What
  used to be McLaren’s job – the independent fighting against the
  works teams – is now firmly entrusted in Horner’s operation.
  Red Bull may never have the gravitas of the teams that have competed
  since the early decades of F1, but it’s a key modern-day player worthy of
  more respect, and maybe a bit more affection, than it tends to receive.

RED BULL’S PLACE-IN-HISTORY STATS

TOTAL PLACE IN ALL-TIME LIST FIRST

Starts 275 12th Australia 2005

Wins 60 6th China 2009

Podiums 164 6th Monaco 2006

Poles 60 6th China 2009

Points 4498.5 4th Australia 2005

Championships 4 6th 2010

Vettel took 13 wins

during impressive

2013 campaign