2018 Report – Red Bull: Almost at the Top

Ranking in the championship: 3rd, 419 pts

Best qualifying position: 1st (Mexico; Ricciardo)

Best race finish: 1st (China-Monaco; Ricciardo / Austria-Mexico; Verstappen)

Coming from a third place in the Constructors’ championship in 2017, Red Bull has positioned itself in the same dynamic, clearly outpaced in terms of speed by the two leaders, Ferrari and Mercedes.

On the other hand, if the single-seaters seem slightly below par, the pair of drivers leading the cars with the energy drink’s colors is clearly on par with the best.

Unlike their engine supplier Renault’s team, which doesn’t suffer from reliability issues, the Red Bull team laments an impressive rate of retirements. Just over half of the Grand Prix have been completed by both cars, with 11 races out of the 21 on the calendar.

If the engine is not solely to blame, referring to Baku and the harpooning of the two teammates, the diamond-branded company still attracted the wrath of the Milton Keynes team and their Dutch driver throughout the season.

In this wave of criticism, a major decision was made to switch from the engine manufacturer Renault to Honda.

This choice puts an end to twelve years of partnership, including four successful ones from 2010 to 2013.

The contract with the Japanese engine manufacturer covers the 2019 and 2020 seasons, with the new engine regulations taking effect from 2021.

Beyond the divorce with the French company, Christian Horner’s team was at the source of the upheaval in the 2019 transfer market.

Announcing mid-season the extension of its driver duo, the Australian driver decided at the beginning of August to leave for Renault. A thunderclap in the paddock with the sequel that we know.

Regarding the sequence of events, choosing Pierre Gasly was logical and related to the choice of the new engine supplier.

If the performances of the “B team” Toro Rosso have remained limited, the Honda engine has clearly raised its level compared to last year both in performance and reliability.

It is therefore with this engine block that the future Red Bulls will be launched from 2019 onwards, with future performances difficult to predict and a young and unprecedented driver duo.

Max Verstappen:

Ranking in the championship: 4th, 249 pts

Best qualifying position: 2nd (Austria, Singapore, Mexico)

Best race position: 1st (Austria, Mexico)

After a lukewarm first half of the season, the young Dutchman confirmed his talent in the second part of the season with 249 points compared to 105 in the first twelve Grand Prix. Spared by reliability issues, Max Verstappen finished the season on a high note by clinching the podium five times in a row.

Fiery, the young Red Bull driver has proven to be a formidable opponent by imposing his aggressive style, even if it meant getting into a scuffle with Esteban Ocon during the Brazilian race. Highly critical of Renault, much like his Team Principal Christian Horner, Max Verstappen has regularly complained about his engine supplier and is likely partially responsible for the split with Renault.

With two more victories under his belt, the Dutchman is confident for the year ahead, his collaboration with Pierre Gasly and the partnership with Honda. If these different elements work well, there is no doubt that the Red Bull driver will fight for victories.

Daniel Ricciardo

Championship ranking: 6th, 170 pts

Best race finish: 1st (China, Monaco)

Unlike his teammate, Daniel Ricciardo literally struggled in the second half of the season. Abandoning eight times, the Australian was gradually left behind in the Drivers’ standings by his competitors. Yet his season started very well for the Red Bull driver, winning the third race of the calendar and following it up three races later with a long-awaited victory in Monaco.

With a total of 118 points at mid-season, the rest was a real journey through the desert. While one may remember his dismay after various mechanical retirements, Daniel Ricciardo still chose to direct his future towards Renault, the current engine supplier of his “cursed” car, according to his words.

Endowed with undeniable talent, the best braker on the grid is taking a risk but fully stands by his choice. Beyond this, the entire paddock has had to adapt its recruitment strategy, and Esteban Ocon has clearly been indirectly affected.

At almost 30 years old, the smiling and friendly Australian is relaunching his career by joining Renault; a team on the rise and where he will be the number one driver, unlike his role at Red Bull, which generally favored Verstappen.