Red Bull Racing

Who drives for Red Bull in Formula 1?

In 2020 Red Bull Racing will continue with the same line-up as at the end of 2019. It came as no surprise that Max Verstappen would once again be driving for Red Bull. He has a contract which will see him at the team until at least 2023. So the future of Red Bull seems safe with one top driver in the house, but who is number two?

Pierre Gasly was short in 2019 and was put aside for Alexander Albon. The Thai also didn't come close to Verstappen, but managed to make improvements. Albon did what was expected of him: score points. If he manages to find the next gear in 2020 with a proper  preparation, Red Bull will have the ideal second man in house. 

The birth of Red Bull

Like many of the current teams on the Formula 1 grid, Red Bull has also been the result of an acquisition. Jaguar's increasing financial difficulties meant the end of the British manufacturer in the King's class at the end of 2004. A place that Red Bull was all too keen to take after having been active as a sponsor of individual drivers for several years. At the start of 2005 there were two cars with red bulls on the Australian grid, with veterans David Coulthard and Christian Klien behind the wheel.

It would still be a few years before the energy drinks manufacturer's team would impress the establishment. With Adrian Newey's snare as a designer, it became clear that the racing team wasn't just joining in for fun and publicity. The collaboration with Renault as engine supplier also started that year and the results seemed to improve. 

A year later Red Bull didn’t manage to continue the upward trend in performance and finished seventh among the constructors. From 2009 the team's period of glory began with the recruitment of Sebastian Vettel as a young talent alongside the now veteran Mark Webber.

Four titles in a row

In 2009, Sebastian Vettel just missed the title (Jenson Button wins by only eleven points), but in 2010 a dominant period for Red Bull began. Red Bull is able to find a significant advantage in terms of aerodynamics. The result? Titles in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 for Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing.

Engine transition

After an extremely successful period, Formula 1 introduced new regulations on the internal combustion engine from the 2014 season. No longer is there a 2.4 litre V8 in the back of the cars, but a hybrid V6. Red Bull remains loyal to engine manufacturer Renault and in the first season the team just can't match Mercedes. By a long way, seeing as there are only three races that season where Mercedes doesn't win.

With the dominant period of Red Bull blatantly at an end, Sebastian Vettel moved to Ferrari. A team that was behind the Bulls at that time. In the following season, Red Bull, with newcomer Daniil Kvyat next to Daniel Ricciardo, returns to P4 behind Williams, Ferrari and Mercedes. It is only when the Russian is put aside that the results seem to improve again.

Max Verstappen to Red Bull Racing

Until the Spanish Grand Prix Max Verstappen drove for the satellite team of Red Bull, Toro Rosso. After Daniil Kvyat crossed the finish line in China in third place, it was decided that the Russian would be exchanged for the Dutchman, who was seen as upcoming talent. During the Grand Prix of Barcelona 2016 Verstappen will take place behind the wheel of the Red Bull  for the first time and knows that the eyes of the world are on him. A race that the Dutchman used to impress immediately.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg tripped over each other in the opening lap of the race, after which Max Verstappen took the lead. Not a single stitch is dropped by the Dutchman and he crosses the finish line first. Daniil Kvyat, who was put back to Toro Rosso, grieves at P15 in his Toro Rosso. With Verstappen behind the wheel, Red Bull begins to return to the top, with a victory here and there and many podiums.

Daniel Ricciardo drops the next bomb: The Australian leaves the race team  to join the Renault factory team from the 2019 season.

For a long time it remains quiet who will come next to Max Verstappen in the empty spot, but in the end the most logical choice will be the real one: Pierre Gasly came in as the replacement. Fernando Alonso also had a small chance, but the Spaniard wasn’t drawn upon. A new chapter of the team from Milton Keynes has arrived!

Red Bull F1 in 2020

After three victories in 2019 and Verstappen being able to leave pole twice, the switch to Honda seems to be a success. The engine is reliable and fast too. However, an extra step is needed. From Honda, but also from Red Bull. Max is now squeezing out maximum results, but still lacks the speed to compete for victory on too many tracks.

So Adrian Newey and the leaders at Honda have work to do. Verstappen is the man for the title, but now the complete package has to be put together.

Which engine does Red Bull use?

With quite a few podiums and a few victories in its pocket, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing shocks the world of Formula 1 in the 2018 season. After years of ups and downs with Renault as engine supplier (and already placing a Tag Heuer logo on the engine), Red Bull puts an end to the collaboration. Starting in the 2019 season, a Honda engine is located at the back of the Red Bull of Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen and that will also be the case in his RB16.