Red Bull Racing
| File:Red Bull Racing logo.svg Official Red Bull Racing logo | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Formula One racing team |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Dietrich Mateschitz |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom , United Kingdom |
Area served | Global (Formula One) |
Key people | Christian Horner (Team Principal, 2005–2025), Laurent Mekies (CEO and Team Principal, 2025–present) |
| Products | Formula One cars and racing operations |
| Owner | Red Bull GmbH |
| Parent | Red Bull GmbH |
| Website | www |
Red Bull Racing, officially competing as Oracle Red Bull Racing and commonly referred to as Red Bull or RBR, is a Formula One team registered under an Austrian license and headquartered in the United Kingdom. The outfit is owned by Red Bull GmbH and represents one of the conglomerate’s two F1 entries, alongside Racing Bulls. Christian Horner served as team principal from its establishment in 2005 until 2025, after which CEO and Team Principal Laurent Mekies took over leadership.
The team initially ran on Cosworth power units in , switching to Ferrari engines in . From through , Red Bull operated with Renault engines, which were rebranded as TAG Heuer from 2016 following the termination of their Renault partnership. This collaboration produced four straight Drivers' and Constructors' titles between and , making Red Bull the first Austrian-licensed team to claim these championships.
Starting in , Red Bull formed a partnership with Honda, resulting in Max Verstappen securing Drivers' Championships in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. While the team captured Constructors' titles in 2022 and 2023, they finished behind Mercedes in 2021 and McLaren in 2024. Although Honda officially withdrew from Formula One after the 2021 season, it continues to supply engines through Red Bull Powertrains until the conclusion of .
To enhance their competitive edge and technological progress, Red Bull is investing in new facilities, including a wind tunnel slated to become operational by 2026.
Origins
Red Bull Racing evolved from the former Stewart Grand Prix outfit that entered Formula One in . After Jackie Stewart sold the team to Ford Motor Company at the end of 1999, it was rebranded as Jaguar Racing. The team endured a challenging period over the subsequent five years.
In September 2004, Ford announced it was putting Jaguar Racing up for sale, citing difficulties justifying its F1 expenditure. On 15 November 2004, energy drink producer Red Bull acquired the team for a nominal sum of US$1, pledging an investment of US$400 million across three seasons. The team retained use of the Cosworth engine employed during 2005. Christian Horner was appointed as team principal, with drivers David Coulthard and Christian Klien on the roster. The squad competed under a British racing license from to .
Prior to purchasing its own team, Red Bull had sponsored Sauber between 1995 and 2004 and supported driver Gerhard Berger since 1989. Following the acquisition, Red Bull ended its sponsorship arrangement with Sauber.
2005 season
Owner Dietrich Mateschitz reportedly considered recruiting former driver and BMW Motorsport head Gerhard Berger to assist in managing the team; however, this plan did not come to fruition. The RB1 chassis for 2005 was powered by Cosworth engines, continuing Jaguar's previous engine supplier relationship.
David Coulthard was selected for his experience to lead the driver lineup. The second race seat alternated between young talents Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi—the latter being the 2004 F3000 champion—although Liuzzi only participated in four Grands Prix. Red Bull concluded the season sixth in the Constructors' standings, surpassing Jaguar’s prior performances and amassing more points than Jaguar had achieved collectively in 2003 and 2004. Coulthard scored 24 points, Klien added nine, and Liuzzi contributed one. Throughout the year, the team consistently earned points and occasionally challenged for podium finishes.
American Scott Speed acted as third driver during the Canadian and United States Grands Prix. His American nationality was intended to enhance both Red Bull’s brand visibility and Formula One’s presence within the U.S., a critical market where F1 has traditionally faced challenges.
The 2006 campaign
On 23 April 2005, Red Bull Racing revealed an agreement to utilize customer Ferrari power units for the upcoming season, complying with the newly introduced V8 engine regulations. While Red Bull opted for Michelin tyres, Ferrari chose to run on Bridgestone rubber.
On 8 November 2005, Red Bull secured the services of acclaimed technical director Adrian Newey from McLaren, accompanied by Rob Marshall. The second car of the team, the Red Bull RB2, was unveiled on 15 December 2005 at Silverstone, with David Coulthard praising its design despite initial overheating challenges.
During the season opener in Bahrain, Christian Klien qualified in eighth place, surpassing several competitors. Coulthard finished tenth after encountering tyre and cooling problems, resulting in a grid penalty for the following race. In Malaysia, both drivers retired due to hydraulic failures triggered by separate incidents. Coulthard managed to score a point in Australia following a penalty to another driver, but subsequent events were characterized by retirements and lower placements.
Coulthard achieved the team's inaugural podium finish at Monaco by coming in third. Team principal Christian Horner famously vowed to leap into the trackside pool if a podium was secured, a promise he fulfilled wearing a red cape. This accomplishment mirrored similar milestones previously attained by Stewart Grand Prix and Jaguar Racing at Monaco.
In Canada, Coulthard collected points despite starting last due to an engine penalty; Klien ended up 11th. At the United States Grand Prix, Klien retired after first-lap collisions while Coulthard completed the race in seventh.
Red Bull wrapped up the season seventh in the Constructors' Championship with a total of 16 points, five points ahead of Williams. Coulthard placed 13th in the driver standings with 14 points; Klien contributed 2 points before being replaced by Robert Doornbos, who did not add to the tally.
The 2007 season
The 2007 season introduced the Adrian Newey-designed RB3. Following negotiations, Red Bull Racing transitioned from Ferrari to customer Renault engines, while Ferrari supplied power units to Scuderia Toro Rosso. On 7 August 2006, Red Bull announced the signing of Mark Webber alongside David Coulthard, replacing Christian Klien; Robert Doornbos took over as third driver.
In 2007, Red Bull officially registered as an Austrian constructor but maintained its operations based in the United Kingdom. Early rounds were hampered by reliability setbacks: Webber experienced a fuel flap malfunction in Australia, and Coulthard retired after a crash. The team's performance improved by Bahrain; however, both drivers retired due to mechanical issues. Coulthard earned the team's first points with a resilient fifth-place finish in Spain despite gearbox troubles, whereas Webber suffered hydraulic failures.
The technical team was bolstered with the appointment of Geoff Willis as Technical Director in July 2007. At the European Grand Prix, Webber secured his second career podium by finishing third, while Coulthard impressively climbed from 20th on the grid to fifth place. The closing stages of the season featured strong showings including Coulthard’s fourth place in wet conditions at Japan and competitive qualifying sessions in China where Coulthard started fifth and Webber ninth.
2008 season
For the 2008 campaign, Red Bull retained their driver lineup of Mark Webber and David Coulthard, who carried car numbers 9 and 10 respectively, following the team's fifth-place finish in the 2007 Constructors' Championship. The RB4 chassis was unveiled at Jerez on 16 January, while Sébastien Buemi was appointed as test and reserve driver, balancing this role alongside his GP2 series participation.
Webber retired from the opening round in Australia but subsequently achieved five consecutive points finishes. Coulthard faced early difficulties due to qualifying performances but managed to secure a podium finish by placing third at the Canadian Grand Prix, marking Red Bull's first podium since 2007. By mid-season, the team had matched their previous year's tally of 24 points and were closely contesting fourth place in the Constructors' standings alongside Toyota and Renault, having addressed earlier reliability challenges.
In the latter half of the season, however, Red Bull's form deteriorated, scoring just five points over the final ten races. Their sister outfit, Toro Rosso, outperformed them by season's end and claimed victory in the rain-affected Italian Grand Prix—this being the first win for a Red Bull-owned team. The results underscored ongoing concerns regarding the Renault engine's power deficit relative to Ferrari and Mercedes. For 2009, Renault was allowed to enhance engine performance after a development freeze since 2007.
Webber marked his 50th top ten grid start at the French Grand Prix. Coulthard announced his retirement at the Hungarian Grand Prix; despite aspirations for a strong farewell season, he retired early in both his final home race and his concluding event in Brazil.
2009 season
In 2009, Red Bull introduced the RB5 chassis virtually on 8 February with Sebastian Vettel narrating; the physical launch occurred the following day. The team achieved its inaugural pole position at the Chinese Grand Prix when Vettel set the fastest lap during a single qualifying attempt, while Webber qualified third. Vettel went on to win that race under challenging wet conditions, delivering Red Bull Racing’s first-ever victory (noting that Stewart GP had previously won as a predecessor).
At Bahrain, Vettel qualified third and finished second behind Jenson Button, earning eight championship points. In Spain, Webber and Vettel secured third and fourth places respectively after qualifying fifth and second. They repeated strong performances in Turkey with second and third place finishes. Upgrades introduced at Silverstone enabled Vettel to claim victory from pole position, ending Button’s winning streak. The team recorded another one-two finish in Germany with Webber winning despite receiving a drive-through penalty. Webber also triumphed in Brazil. The season concluded with a further one-two finish in Abu Dhabi, Vettel ahead of Webber.
Vettel ended as runner-up in the Drivers' Championship with 84 points, trailing Button by 11 points. Webber finished fourth with 69.5 points. Red Bull secured second place in the Constructors' Championship with 153.5 points, behind champions Brawn GP by an 18.5-point margin.
2010 season
For the 2010 season, Red Bull retained both Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel as drivers, continuing their partnership with Renault as engine supplier.
At the opening race in Bahrain, Vettel achieved pole position but suffered a spark-plug failure while leading and ultimately finished fourth; Webber came home eighth. In Australia, Vettel again took pole but retired due to brake failure after reporting wheel vibrations; Webber finished ninth following contact with Hamilton.
Webber secured pole position in Malaysia and finished second while Vettel won the race—Red Bull's first victory of the year—propelling them into third place in the Constructors' standings. Vettel also took pole in China ahead of Webber; however, both were overtaken early on and strategic decisions under variable rain conditions saw Vettel finish sixth and Webber eighth.
At Spain, Webber converted pole into victory while Vettel dropped to fourth due to brake problems. Monaco saw Webber win from pole again with Vettel finishing second; this placed both drivers first and second in the Drivers' Championship and gave Red Bull the lead in Constructors'.
Webber extended his consecutive pole streak to seven races in Turkey but collided with Vettel during the event; Webber finished third while Vettel retired. In Canada, Hamilton took pole with Red Bull qualifying second and third but finished fourth and fifth due to difficulties adapting to that circuit.
Vettel dominated from pole at the European Grand Prix in Valencia; however, Webber crashed after contact with Heikki Kovalainen. At Silverstone, Webber won starting from second on the grid while Vettel recovered from a puncture to finish seventh.
In Germany, Vettel qualified on pole but finished third behind Ferrari drivers amid controversy over team orders at Ferrari. Webber qualified fourth and ended sixth. At Hungary, Vettel took pole and led until a safety car period; Webber won after serving a drive-through penalty for exceeding distance behind the safety car.
Webber secured pole position in Belgium despite lacking straight-line speed but dropped to fifth at race start. Vettel collided with Jenson Button during the race, earning a drive-through penalty and finishing 15th. Webber capitalized on retirements ahead to finish second behind Hamilton.
At Monza, Webber fell back to ninth after a poor start but recovered to sixth; Vettel overcame brake binding issues to finish fourth. In Korea, Red Bull locked out front row with Vettel on pole; however, both drivers retired—Webber after spinning and colliding with another car, Vettel due to engine failure—resulting in lost championship leads though they maintained their lead in Constructors'.
Red Bull clinched their first Constructors' Championship at Brazil with a one-two finish by Vettel and Webber—the first Austrian team ever to do so. The team chose not to impose orders favoring Webber’s title chances but instead prioritized allowing the faster driver to win.
In Abu Dhabi’s final race of the season, Vettel won both the race and Drivers' Championship. Concluding 2010 with nine wins (five for Vettel, four for Webber), fifteen poles (ten by Vettel, five by Webber), and six fastest laps evenly split between them, team principal Christian Horner commended both drivers for their professionalism throughout the year.
2011 season
In 2011, Red Bull Racing advanced to become Renault's official full-works partner, benefiting from complimentary engines as Renault redirected its factory backing from Lotus Renault GP to Red Bull. The driver lineup remained unchanged with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber continuing alongside Renault as the power unit supplier. Vettel successfully retained his Drivers' Championship title, claiming victory in eleven Grands Prix and securing 15 pole positions, surpassing Nigel Mansell's 1992 record. Webber achieved third place in the drivers' standings, winning the Brazilian Grand Prix. The team clinched the Constructors' Championship with a total of 650 points, outpacing McLaren by 153 points. Additionally, Nissan’s luxury marque Infiniti joined as an official partner for the 2011 and 2012 seasons, featuring branding on the cars, drivers’ suits, and team apparel.
2012 season
For the 2012 campaign, Red Bull Racing maintained its driver pairing of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. Webber agreed to a one-year contract extension, while Vettel was under a multi-year agreement lasting through 2014. Vettel secured his third consecutive Drivers' Championship in this season, becoming the youngest driver to achieve three world titles, overtaking Ayrton Senna’s previous record.
2013 season
In 2013, the team was rebranded as Infiniti Red Bull Racing following Infiniti’s elevation to Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner status. Vettel and Webber continued as drivers; Webber on a one-year deal and Vettel under his existing multi-year contract.
During the Australian Grand Prix, Vettel earned pole position but finished third behind Kimi Räikkönen and Fernando Alonso; Webber ended the race in sixth place. At the Malaysian Grand Prix, Vettel again started from pole and controversially won after disregarding team orders ('Multi 21') by overtaking Webber late in the race, creating internal friction despite a one-two finish. In China, Vettel qualified ninth and finished fourth; meanwhile, Webber started at the back due to fuel sample complications and retired after a collision compounded by mechanical issues. Despite these challenges, Vettel maintained his lead in the Drivers' Championship.
At Bahrain, Vettel started second on the grid and delivered a commanding victory; Webber began seventh following a penalty and finished seventh. After four rounds, Infiniti Red Bull led both championships. Vettel extended his contract through 2015 despite interest from Ferrari and Mercedes. Webber announced his retirement during the British Grand Prix weekend and signed with Porsche for the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship. Daniel Ricciardo was confirmed as Webber’s replacement for the following season.
Vettel secured the team’s milestone 50th pole position and 40th race win at the Italian Grand Prix. He clinched his fourth Drivers' Championship at the Indian Grand Prix while simultaneously securing Infiniti Red Bull Racing’s fourth straight Constructors’ title.
2014 season
The 2014 season commenced with reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel alongside Daniel Ricciardo, who had stepped in for Mark Webber following his transition to Porsche in the World Endurance Championship.
Pre-season testing exposed significant issues with reliability and power output from the Renault engine, which lagged behind rivals Ferrari and Mercedes. The hybrid power unit struggled to harmonize its combustion engine with kinetic energy recovery systems and turbocharging components effectively.
At the opening race of the year, Ricciardo qualified second on debut and finished in second place; however, Vettel retired early due to power unit failure. Ricciardo was subsequently disqualified for breaching the new FIA fuel flow regulations, losing his podium finish after an unsuccessful appeal by Red Bull.
In Malaysia, Vettel qualified second and secured third place in the race; Ricciardo qualified fifth but retired due to technical problems. Ricciardo received a ten-place grid penalty for Bahrain after an unsafe pit release but managed to finish fourth despite starting further back. Vettel finished sixth in Bahrain after starting from 11th on the grid. In China’s difficult conditions, Ricciardo qualified second and finished fourth; Vettel qualified third and ended fifth.
Ricciardo earned his first career podium at the Spanish Grand Prix after qualifying third. Despite starting 15th because of a gearbox penalty, Vettel recovered to fourth place while setting the fastest lap of the race. Ricciardo captured his inaugural Formula One victory in Canada.
Following disappointing outcomes in Austria—including Vettel’s retirement—team principal Christian Horner publicly criticized Renault’s engine performance as "unacceptable," emphasizing its shortcomings compared to Mercedes power units.
The team wrapped up the season as runners-up in both championships with a total of 405 points and three race victories.
2015 season
Daniel Ricciardo remained with the team for a consecutive year, while Daniil Kvyat stepped in to replace Sebastian Vettel, who departed after the 2014 campaign. Kvyat earned his promotion from the junior Toro Rosso outfit.
The 2015 campaign was initially anticipated as a continuation of Red Bull's revival, with hopes that enhancements to Renault’s power unit would pose a stronger challenge to Mercedes. Nevertheless, ongoing difficulties related to reliability, engine power, and handling compromised their competitiveness throughout the season.
During the , Ricciardo secured seventh on the grid and finished in sixth place; meanwhile, Kvyat qualified 13th but was forced to retire due to gearbox issues. The pinnacle of their success arrived at the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Ricciardo and Kvyat achieved second and third place finishes respectively. Their prime opportunity for victory emerged at the , yet driver mistakes allowed both Mercedes drivers to overtake; Lewis Hamilton clinched his third World Championship title.
Red Bull concluded the year without a single race win for the first time since 2008. Frustrated by Renault’s stagnant development, Red Bull sought to terminate their engine partnership but continued using Renault power units in 2016 under the TAG Heuer badge.
They secured fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, accumulating 187 points. Kvyat finished seventh in the Drivers' standings with 95 points, while Ricciardo was eighth with 92 points—representing their lowest rankings in seven years.
2016 season
In 2016, Red Bull Racing utilized Renault engines rebranded as TAG Heuer following their public split from Renault in 2015. Infiniti also withdrew as a principal sponsor to align with the revived Renault Sport Formula One Team. Shortly before the Australian Grand Prix on 17 March 2016, Red Bull announced a new technical collaboration with Aston Martin.
At the Chinese Grand Prix that year, Red Bull earned their first podium finish with Daniil Kvyat securing third place. Prior to the Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull Racing, replacing Kvyat who returned to Scuderia Toro Rosso. Verstappen went on to win in Spain, becoming the youngest winner in Grand Prix history.
The 2016 season saw marked progress for Red Bull, particularly following Verstappen’s integration into the team. Daniel Ricciardo credited Verstappen’s driving style for motivating him to elevate his performance. Both drivers attained multiple podium finishes: Verstappen at Austria and Silverstone; Ricciardo at Monaco, Budapest, and Singapore; and jointly on the podium in Germany and Malaysia. Ricciardo secured his fourth career victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix after Lewis Hamilton suffered an engine failure, while Verstappen mounted a strong challenge despite a contentious incident involving Sebastian Vettel.
Throughout the season, Verstappen and Vettel experienced several on-track confrontations, notably at the Belgian Grand Prix where Verstappen failed to score points despite starting from the front row.
In the final stages of the Brazilian Grand Prix, Verstappen climbed from 14th position to finish third. Red Bull Racing ended the season second in the Constructors' Championship standings, with Daniel Ricciardo placing third in the Drivers' classification.
2017 season
In 2017, Red Bull Racing maintained the same driver lineup as in 2016 and continued to utilize Renault engines branded under TAG Heuer. Daniel Ricciardo retired on lap 25 during the Australian Grand Prix, whereas Max Verstappen managed to finish in fifth place.
Verstappen encountered several reliability setbacks throughout the season, including three engine-related retirements and a failure of the electrical system at one event. Additionally, he was involved in three separate first-lap collisions that forced him to retire from those races.
The team achieved three victories that year: Ricciardo claimed victory at the , starting from tenth position on the grid, while Verstappen won both the and Grands Prix. At the , they secured second and third places respectively. In the Drivers' Championship, Ricciardo finished fifth with 200 points, Verstappen sixth with 168 points, and Red Bull Racing secured third place in the Constructors' Championship with a total of 368 points.
2018 season
For the 2018 campaign, Ricciardo and Verstappen continued as Red Bull's drivers. On 25 September 2017, Aston Martin was announced as the team's title sponsor beginning with the 2018 season.
The team experienced a double retirement in Bahrain due to electrical malfunctions. Ricciardo captured the season's first win in China after starting from sixth on the grid. Both drivers collided at Turn 1 during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Verstappen earned a podium finish by placing third in Spain, with Ricciardo coming home fifth.
At Monaco, Red Bull benefited from their high-downforce car setup; Ricciardo secured pole position and went on to win despite suffering engine power loss, which caused friction with Renault. Verstappen started from twentieth following a crash but managed to finish ninth. This race marked Ricciardo’s final podium for Red Bull before his transfer to Renault.
During the European leg of the season, Verstappen triumphed at Austria’s Red Bull Ring and achieved six podium finishes across eight races in the second half of the year, becoming the highest-scoring driver behind world champion Lewis Hamilton. Meanwhile, Ricciardo faced mechanical difficulties that led to seven retirements and no further podium appearances after the initial six races. Verstappen won in Mexico starting second on the grid after Ricciardo had taken pole position—Red Bull’s first front-row lockout since the turbo-hybrid era began.
Verstappen was on track for consecutive wins at Brazil but collided with Esteban Ocon while being lapped, which cost him victory and resulted in a public service penalty served in February 2019. Ricciardo’s repeated retirements negatively affected both drivers’ standings and Red Bull’s points tally in the Constructors' Championship. Verstappen finished fourth overall, just three points behind Kimi Räikkönen; Ricciardo ended sixth behind Valtteri Bottas. Red Bull concluded third in the Constructors' Championship behind Mercedes and Ferrari.
By the time of the French Grand Prix, motivated by Honda’s advancements with their sister team Toro Rosso, Red Bull opted to terminate their partnership with Renault after 2018 and switch to Honda power units starting from 2019.
2019 season
Ahead of the 2018 season finale, Red Bull Racing confirmed a two-year agreement to utilize full factory Honda power units from 2019 onward, ending their twelve-year collaboration with Renault. This marked Honda’s return as a supplier for two teams simultaneously—their own outfit Honda F1 and Super Aguri—after a hiatus.
On 3 August 2018, Daniel Ricciardo announced his move to Renault for a two-year contract. Pierre Gasly was promoted from Toro Rosso to fill Ricciardo’s seat at Red Bull.
Later, on 12 August 2019, Alex Albon replaced Gasly at Red Bull Racing for the remainder of that season while Gasly returned to Toro Rosso.
2020 season
For the 2020 campaign, Red Bull maintained their driver lineup with Max Verstappen and Alex Albon. The season kicked off at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix, held under a revised schedule due to the global pandemic. Verstappen was forced to retire early because of a technical malfunction, while Albon finished in thirteenth place following a collision involving Lewis Hamilton. Throughout the season, Verstappen achieved several podium finishes, including victory at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix, whereas Albon regularly scored points but did not reach the podium until later in the year.
During the 2020 Italian Grand Prix, Albon was involved in a collision with Pierre Gasly, which earned him a penalty and saw him finish fifteenth; Verstappen had to retire due to mechanical issues. The subsequent race saw Albon claim his first Formula One podium by finishing third, while Verstappen retired after contact with Gasly.
Verstappen consistently appeared on the podium in all but three remaining races, and Albon secured one additional podium finish. The team ended the season second in the World Constructors' Championship with a total of 319 points. In the Drivers' Championship, Verstappen placed third with 214 points, and Albon was seventh with 105 points. After the season concluded, Red Bull announced that Sergio Pérez would replace Albon for the 2021 season.
2021 season
In October 2020, Honda, Red Bull’s engine supplier, declared it would withdraw from full factory involvement in Formula One after the conclusion of the 2021 season. Verstappen continued under contract, now partnered by experienced Mexican driver Sergio Pérez, while Albon transitioned to a reserve driver role. Verstappen secured pole position at the opening round in Bahrain. Although Pérez out-qualified Verstappen at the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Verstappen claimed victory and trailed Lewis Hamilton by just one point in the Drivers' standings. At Monaco, Red Bull took the lead in the Constructors' Championship for the first time since 2013, with Verstappen also ascending to first place in the Drivers' Championship.
At the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Verstappen led for most of the race but suffered a late tyre failure; Pérez capitalized by taking victory. Verstappen then claimed pole position and won three consecutive races, while Pérez contributed another podium finish in France, further extending Red Bull’s advantage in both championships.
At Silverstone, despite losing Friday qualifying sessions, Verstappen won the sprint race to secure his fourth straight pole position. However, a collision with Hamilton during the main race forced Verstappen to retire. In Hungary, both Red Bull cars were damaged in a first-lap incident initiated by Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas; Pérez retired and Verstappen managed ninth place. At Spa-Francorchamps, Verstappen earned pole and won a rain-shortened race that awarded half points. During the Italian Grand Prix, another collision between Hamilton and Verstappen resulted in both drivers retiring and led to Verstappen receiving a three-place grid penalty for the following event.
The season culminated at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Verstappen started from pole and executed a last-lap pass on Hamilton to clinch his first World Drivers’ Championship title and secure Red Bull’s first drivers’ championship since 2013.
On 10 October 2022, the FIA revealed that Red Bull had violated the 2021 Financial Regulations by committing a "Procedural Breach and Minor Financial Overspend (less than 5% of the Cost Cap)". Subsequently, on 28 October 2022, Red Bull agreed to an Accepted Breach Agreement addressing 13 instances of non-compliance. This settlement resulted in a $7 million fine and a 10% cut in their allowable aerodynamic development budget.
2022 season
For the 2022 campaign, American technology leader Oracle took on the role of title sponsor for the team.
After Honda ceased its role as a factory engine supplier post-2021, an engine development freeze—championed by Red Bull—facilitated an agreement to continue using Honda power units through 2024, which was subsequently extended to 2025. This deal granted Red Bull ownership of Honda’s engine intellectual property and led to the creation of Red Bull Powertrains Limited, responsible for assembling and servicing the engines. Part of Honda’s Milton Keynes facility was transferred to Red Bull for this purpose. The freeze was essential since Red Bull did not possess the resources to independently advance engine development without risking competitive disadvantage. For the 2022 season, these power units were branded as RBPT.
With the introduction of new regulations slated for 2026, the original arrangement was modified: Honda kept all engine IP rights and committed to manufacturing, supplying, and maintaining power units up to 2025. Although officially stepping back, Honda continued developing an updated power unit from 2022 onwards and provided ongoing trackside technical assistance. This collaboration was officially extended through the end of the 2025 season.
On 27 July 2022, it was revealed that Porsche acquired a 50% ownership stake in Red Bull Technology, which oversees Red Bull Racing’s Formula One operations. The transaction awaited antitrust clearance from multiple jurisdictions. However, delays in FIA approval of the 2026 engine rules postponed final confirmation of Porsche’s entry into Formula One. By March 2023, Porsche withdrew from its planned F1 involvement.
Driver Max Verstappen clinched his sixth Drivers’ World Championship at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix, dominating with 15 victories in 22 races. His triumph at the 2022 United States Grand Prix secured Red Bull’s fifth Constructors’ Championship—their first since 2013.
2023 season
For the 2023 season, Red Bull Racing maintained their driver lineup from the previous year: reigning World Champion Max Verstappen alongside teammate Sergio Pérez. Reflecting their enhanced partnership from 2022, Honda returned as the official engine supplier with its branding restored on both cars and team apparel.
The RB19 demonstrated immediate superiority by topping pre-season testing and showcasing strong pace at the opening Bahrain event, where Verstappen secured pole position and race victory. Pérez earned two wins during the year at the Saudi Arabian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix. The only race not won by Red Bull was the Singapore, where Verstappen and Pérez finished fifth and eighth respectively; victory went to Verstappen’s former teammate Carlos Sainz Jr..
Red Bull’s consistent performance ensured they clinched the Constructors’ Championship following Verstappen’s victory at the Japanese Grand Prix. Verstappen secured his Drivers’ Championship title during the sprint at the subsequent Qatar Grand Prix, with his win at the Abu Dhabi race capping one of Red Bull’s most dominant campaigns. Designed by Adrian Newey, the RB19 achieved 21 wins out of 22 races (a 95.45% success rate), surpassing the record set by the Honda-powered McLaren MP4/4 in 1988, which had 15 wins in 16 races (93.8%).
By winning at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Red Bull established a new benchmark for consecutive constructor victories with twelve straight wins, breaking McLaren’s prior record of eleven set in 1988. This winning streak extended to fifteen after triumphs at the Belgian, Dutch, and Italian Grands Prix. Additionally, Verstappen became the first driver to lead over one thousand laps in a single season while completing every lap during 2023.
2024 season
For the 2024 campaign, Red Bull Racing maintained their driver lineup from 2023, continuing with three-time World Champion Max Verstappen alongside his teammate Sergio Pérez. The team unveiled the RB20 on 15 February, showcasing a design Verstappen described as both "bold" and "aggressive."
Red Bull asserted dominance in the opening two rounds, with Verstappen clinching victory by a margin exceeding ten seconds ahead of Pérez. Nevertheless, at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix, Verstappen was forced to retire due to brake failure caused by overheating. The squad celebrated a significant milestone at the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix by achieving their 100th pole position, with Verstappen securing pole position—this landmark arrived fifteen years after their inaugural pole secured by Sebastian Vettel.
Midway through the season break, Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley declared his intention to depart after an 18-year tenure. He agreed to remain until the conclusion of the season before commencing gardening leave in 2025 and is slated to assume the role of Audi’s team principal in 2026.
In response to challenges stemming from a 2023 underfloor modification, Red Bull introduced a redesigned floor at the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, enhancing the RB20’s competitiveness. Verstappen delivered an extraordinary performance at the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix, starting from P17 and ultimately winning, earning 31 points and extending his championship advantage. He followed this with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, outpacing rival Lando Norris and securing his fourth World Championship title with a total of 403 points. Verstappen then triumphed at the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, although Pérez suffered a clutch failure that dashed Red Bull’s hopes of defending their constructors' championship titles won in 2022 and 2023.
2025 season
During the weekend of the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing announced that Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey would be departing after a 19-year association, with plans to join Aston Martin in March 2025. Although initially contracted through 2026, Sergio Pérez mutually agreed to terminate his contract on 18 December 2024, concluding his four-season stint with the team. The following day, Liam Lawson, previously driving for Red Bull’s sister outfit Scuderia AlphaTauri, was confirmed as Verstappen’s teammate for the 2025 season.
The RB21 began the year trailing behind the leading McLaren MCL39. After completing Australia and China rounds—including a Sprint race—Verstappen held second place in the Drivers' Championship, trailing leader Lando Norris by eight points. Lawson experienced difficulties early on, qualifying in 18th position in Australia and retiring following a pit lane start due to setup adjustments that breached parc fermé regulations. In China, Verstappen achieved a podium finish in the Sprint and placed fourth in the main race. Lawson qualified last for both events and again started from the pit lane after additional setup changes; he finished 14th in the Sprint and was later promoted to 12th in the Grand Prix classification following disqualifications and penalties affecting other drivers.
In response to this disappointing start, team advisor Helmut Marko called for a "crisis meeting" after China to assess performance issues and review Lawson’s role within the team. By late March, speculation arose that Lawson would be demoted back to sister team Racing Bulls, with Yuki Tsunoda elevated to Red Bull for the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix. On 27 March, Red Bull officially confirmed Tsunoda’s promotion. Subsequently, following the 2025 British Grand Prix, CEO and team principal Christian Horner was replaced by Racing Bulls principal Laurent Mekies.
RBPT-Ford power units (from 2026)
Following extensive speculation, Porsche AG announced in September that negotiations with Red Bull GmbH regarding an engine and team collaboration had concluded without a deal. Subsequently, on 3 February 2023, Ford Motor Company revealed a strategic alliance with Red Bull Powertrains set to commence in the 2026 season. This partnership will bring Ford's proficiency in battery cell and electric motor technologies, power unit control software, data analytics, and combustion engine engineering to support Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls.
The upcoming FIA regulations for power units in 2026 will maintain the existing engine architecture and RPM limits but will enforce a lower fuel flow rate. These new power units are expected to produce 400kW (539 HP) with a streamlined Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) design aimed at cost reduction. Additionally, the Energy Recovery System (ERS) capacity will be expanded to 350kW, up from the current 120kW.
Brand image and promotional activities
Red Bull has prioritized revitalizing Formula One's entertainment value by applying its marketing expertise, including appointing Mark Gallagher, previously head of marketing at Jordan Grand Prix. The company also introduced The Red Bulletin, a sports and adventure publication distributed during race weekends to paddock personnel and fans alike.
The brand has consistently integrated film tie-ins into its Grand Prix events, exemplified by collaborations such as Superman Returns in 2006, continuing a legacy of cinematic partnerships dating back to the Jaguar Racing era with Terminator 3 in 2003. A highlight occurred at the 2019 British Grand Prix, where Red Bull showcased James Bond-themed liveries and branding to commemorate their 1007th Grand Prix. This included unique number plates referencing legendary Aston Martin vehicles from Bond films, while drivers Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly donned custom racing suits styled as dinner jackets.
During the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Red Bull marked its two-decade milestone as a racing outfit with celebrations featuring current and former drivers alongside team principal Christian Horner and technical director Adrian Newey. The event featured a parade of Red Bull Formula One cars, an interactive 'Energy Station' for fans, and photo sessions with drivers spanning multiple generations as well as academy prospects like Hamda Al Qubaisi.
Financial overview
In 2011, Red Bull Racing disclosed revenues amounting to $285.4 million against expenses totaling $284.4 million. Income streams included $88.8 million from prize earnings and $59.7 million from sponsorship deals, with the balance funded by Red Bull itself. Expenditures featured $112.8 million allocated to research and development alongside $82.7 million spent on salaries for a workforce of 605 employees.
Red Bull Technology
Red Bull Technology Limited, previously known as Red Bull Racing Holdings Limited, serves as the parent entity for Red Bull Racing. It was created to design, engineer, and manufacture vehicles for its Formula One operations, including the former sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso. This structure was perceived as a legal approach enabling Red Bull to operate two teams utilizing essentially the same car from 2007 onward, despite regulations forbidding this practice since the 1980s. Protests from competitor teams were rejected by the FIA. Both teams acknowledged employing fundamentally identical chassis but maintained that separate development efforts and distinct engines ensured regulatory compliance.
In response to regulatory amendments in 2010 prohibiting identical cars between teams, Toro Rosso began independently developing its own chassis after establishing internal production facilities.
Red Bull Technology has also provided transmissions and Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) components to squads including Scuderia Toro Rosso (later Scuderia AlphaTauri), Visa Cash App RB (from 2006), and Team Lotus/Caterham F1 (transmissions from 2011 to 2014; KERS during 2012–2013).
The firm utilizes rFactor Pro driving simulation software to refine vehicle performance and improve engineering accuracy.
Red Bull Advanced Technologies
Red Bull Advanced Technologies Limited (RBAT), a division under Red Bull GmbH, serves as the commercial engineering and technology arm supporting Red Bull Racing. Founded in 2022 and located in Milton Keynes, UK, RBAT operates in close proximity to Red Bull Racing's Formula One headquarters.
RBAT partnered with Aston Martin to create the Aston Martin Valkyrie, a sports car that integrates Formula One engineering with cutting-edge automotive design.
Working alongside Dallara and IndyCar, RBAT developed the 'aeroscreen' cockpit protection system for the IndyCar Series, significantly improving driver safety.
In June 2022, RBAT revealed plans for its own hypercar, the RB17, crafted under the guidance of Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey. Production will be limited to 50 vehicles, expected to commence in 2025. The RB17 prototype was showcased publicly at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2024.
Sister Formula One team
In late 2005, Red Bull purchased the financially troubled Minardi Formula One outfit and rebranded it as Scuderia Toro Rosso (STR) starting from 2006. Although STR operated independently, it shared certain technical elements with Red Bull Racing. Initially, STR’s chassis was based on the 2005 Red Bull RB1 design originally created by Jaguar Racing, powered by Minardi’s rev-limited V10 Cosworth engines. While the 2007 chassis for both teams were anticipated to be similar, Red Bull clarified that the STR2 would be constructed by Red Bull Technology but owned by STR to comply with regulations prohibiting chassis sharing. STR acted as a development team for Red Bull Racing’s drivers until 2010, when it introduced the STR5—its first wholly in-house designed car.
In 2006, Red Bull Racing’s driver Vitantonio Liuzzi joined STR full-time alongside fellow Red Bull-supported driver Scott Speed. Liuzzi remained in 2007, while mid-season that year saw Sebastian Vettel replace Speed. In 2008, Sébastien Bourdais also joined the lineup. Defying predictions, Toro Rosso delivered strong performances in 2008, highlighted by Vettel’s maiden victory at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix. This win preceded Red Bull Racing’s first triumph and led to Vettel’s promotion to Red Bull Racing in 2009.
Starting in , the team was renamed Scuderia AlphaTauri to promote Red Bull’s fashion label AlphaTauri. Under this branding, the team achieved its inaugural Grand Prix victory at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix, marking Pierre Gasly’s first win and the first French driver victory since 1996.
Ahead of , the team adopted the name RB Formula One Team, competing as Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team. Drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda continued from the prior season.
For 2025, the team will compete under Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team, retaining Yuki Tsunoda and adding rookie driver Isack Hadjar.
Racing record
As a constructor, Red Bull Racing's principal achievements include:
- Constructors' Championships success rate:
- Drivers' Championships success rate:
- Overall race winning percentage:
(Bold signifies championship-winning seasons.)
| Year | Team Name | Car | Engine | Tyres | Numbers | Drivers | Points | Position | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bull Racing Renault | Red Bull RB7 | Renault in Formula One RS27-2011 2.4 V8 | 1. 2. |
Sebastian Vettel Mark Webber (racing driver) |
style="background:#ffffbf;" |650 | style="background:#ffffbf;" |1st | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Red Bull Racing Renault | Red Bull RB8 | Renault in Formula One RS27-2012 2.4 V8 | 1. 2. |
Sebastian Vettel Mark Webber (racing driver) |
style="background:#ffffbf;" |460 | style="background:#ffffbf;" |1st | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Infiniti Red Bull Racing Renault | Red Bull RB9 | Renault in Formula One RS27-2013 2.4 V8 | 1. 2. |
Sebastian Vettel Mark Webber (racing driver) |
style="background:#ffffbf;" |596 | style="background:#ffffbf;" |1st | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Infiniti Red Bull Racing Renault | Red Bull RB10 | Renault in Formula One Renault V6 hybrid Formula One power unit (2014–2025) 1.6 V6 turbocharged | 1. 3. |
Sebastian Vettel Daniel Ricciardo |
style="background:#DFDFDF;" |405 | style="background:#DFDFDF;" |2nd | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Infiniti Red Bull Racing Renault | Red Bull RB11 | Renault in Formula One Renault V6 hybrid Formula One power unit (2014–2025) 1.6 V6 turbocharged | 3. 26. |
Daniel Ricciardo Daniil Kvyat |
187 | 4th | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Red Bull Racing | Red Bull RB12 | TAG Heuer 1.6 V6 turbocharged | 3. 26. 33. |
Daniel Ricciardo Daniil Kvyat Max Verstappen |
style="background:#DFDFDF;" |468 | style="background:#DFDFDF;" |2nd | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Red Bull Racing | Red Bull RB13 | TAG Heuer 1.6 V6 turbocharged | 3. 33. |
Daniel Ricciardo < br >Max Verstappen | 368 | 3rd | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aston Martin Red Bull Racing | Red Bull Racing RB14 | TAG Heuer 1.6 V6 turbocharged | 3.< br >33 . | Daniel Ricciardo < br > Max Verstappen | 419 | 3rd | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Honda | Red Bull Racing RB15 | Honda in Formula One Honda RA619H 1.6 V6 turbocharged | 10 .< br >23 .< br >33 . | Pierre Gasly < br > Alex Albon < br > Max Verstappen | 417 | 3rd | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Honda | Red Bull Racing RB16 | Honda RA620H 1.6 V6 turbocharged | Pirelli | 23 .< br >33 . | Alex Albon < br > Max Verstappen | 319 | 2nd | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Red Bull Racing Honda | RB16B | Honda RA621H | Pirelli | 11 .< br >33 . | Sergio Pérez < br > Max Verstappen | 585.5 | 2nd | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oracle Red Bull Racing | RB18 | Red Bull Powertrains RBPTH001 | Pirelli | 1 .< br >11 . | Max Verstappen < br > Sergio Pérez | 759 | 1st | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| = Oracle Red Bull Racing | = RB19 | = Honda RBPTH001 | = Pirelli | =1 .< br >11 . | = Max Verstappen < br > Sergio Pérez | = 860 | = 1st | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Oracle Red Bull Racing |
RB20 |
Honda RBPTH002 |
Pirelli |
1.< br >11. |
Max Verstappen < br > Sergio Pérez |
589 |
3rd | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Oracle Red Bull Racing |
RB21 |
Honda RBPTH003 |
Pirelli |
1.< br >22.< br >30. |
Max Verstappen < br > Yuki Tsunoda < br > Liam Lawson |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| colspan=
" 9" |
Source: }
Drivers' World ChampionsThe following competitors have earned the Formula One Drivers' Championship title representing Red Bull:
EsportsEsports Drivers' World ChampionsThe drivers who have claimed the Formula One Esports Drivers' Championship while driving for Red Bull Racing Esports include:
Comprehensive F1 Esports Series Performance(legend (bold denotes pole position; italics signify fastest lap))
See alsoExternal links |
- Articles with short description
- Pages with broken file links
- Red Bull Racing
- 2004 establishments in the United Kingdom
- Formula One entrants
- Austrian auto racing teams
- Austrian racecar constructors
- British auto racing teams
- British racecar constructors
- Companies based in Milton Keynes
- Sport in Milton Keynes
- Formula One World Constructors' Champions
- Auto racing teams established in 2004