Could this be the year that Red Bull and Honda finally beat Mercedes?

Red Bull is arguably the most well-known energy drink on the entire planet. First released in 1987, it sells approximately 7.9 billion cans a year, and has the well-known catchphrase ‘Red Bull gives you Wings’.

Because the company has been so successful, they decided to branch out from just making energy drinks, and get involved in the world of sport. They have hosted many extreme sports events, own several soccer teams and have also sponsored many motor racing events and teams too.

Their most successful endeavour has been in the world of F1. They began to sponsor Sauber in the late 1990s,  then in 2005 they launched their own team, under the watchful eye of team principal Christian Horner. They have gone through several different engine suppliers in that time, from Cosworth to Ferrari, then a long period with Renault, before switching to Honda in 2019.

Red Bull Racing had a period of domination, where they won 4 driver’s championships and 4 constructor’s championships back to back, from 2010 to 2013. Their two drivers during this period were the German Sebastian Vettel and the Australian Mark Webber. It was Vettel who won the drivers championships, but Webber was a valuable teammate, winning races and finishing on the podium often as well.

Since 2013, however, Red Bull have not been able to produce a title-winning car. After the hybrid era began in 2014, Mercedes have dominated the sport, winning 7 titles in a row. During this period, anyone who was searching for sportsbooks reviews to find betting sites to place bets would surely have picked Mercedes, and Lewis Hamilton, to be winning each race, as they were so far ahead of every team, including Red Bull.

Red Bull and Honda are parting ways at the end of the season, as the energy drinks’ manufacturer will be using their own engines going forward. Could they secure a win in the drivers or constructors championship this year, so that Honda go out on a high? Let’s look at their chances, to see if they can finally break the Mercedes stronghold.

Red Bull and Honda looking strong in the final stages of the season

Momentum is incredibly important in any sport. A successful team will need to find form at the right moment, to capitalize on others misfortunes, and to press ahead when they have the upper hand. It appears like Red Bull and Honda are doing just that, and are looking like the stronger of the two championship contenders as we enter the final few races of the season.

Earlier in the season, it looked like Red Bull Racing-Honda were going to run away with the title, as they won 5 consecutive races, in Monaco, Azerbaijan, France, Styria and Austria. Both of the Red Bull drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, won races in this period, so it looked like no one, not even Mercedes, could keep up.

However, momentum shifted away from Red Bull and Honda, as they only won 2 of the next 7 races. Their car, which had been the quickest on the grid, now seemed to be struggling to keep up. Thankfully for them, there have been some changes, and it now appears to have found its missing speed. Their win first in US was emphatic – Mexico was furious and suggests good things are to come in the next race in Brazil with the sprint qualifying.

Verstappen in Champion “modus”

For several years, Max Verstappen has shown he has the pace and ability to win races, even when surrounded by drivers with much more experience than him. What he has lacked, however, is a car that could truly challenge race after race, so that he could consistently finish at the front of the grid.

It appears that Red Bull and Honda have now given Verstappen everything he needs to go and win a world championship. He has won 9 races this season, 4 more than Lewis Hamilton.

After the sensational win in Mexico – with his teammate Perez taking Hamilton in the sandwich, one of the best races for the fans –  Verstappen just needs to remain calm and focused, to secure his first world title and Red Bull and Honda’s first constructors’ championship.

Mercedes won’t give up without a fight

Though they looked off the pace in the US GP and the Mexican Bottas disaster, Mercedes have a good record in finding ways to win in the past. In Lewis Hamilton, they have arguably the greatest F1 driver in history, and team principal Toto Wolff has always managed to solve these sorts of problems in the past.

Whatever happens, it is likely that the championships will be decided in the final race. Can Red Bull and Honda part ways on a high?  We are incredibly excited to see how it all turns out.

– photos Red Bull

 
Nicholas Latifi: Autódromo José Carlos Pace is one of the tracks I’ve been look more >>

&ldqu more >>

 
Formula 1’s triple header continues with a return to Brazil for Uralkali Haas F1 Team at the São Paulo Grand Prix, Round 19 of the 2021 season. more >>

more >>