Red Bull did not expect such results in 2022
The season got off to a bad start for Red Bull, with a number of retirements due to mechanical problems and a development process that fell behind schedule. The final result was well beyond the Austrian team's expectations.
Red Bull dominated the driver and constructor championships in 2022, winning both world titles well before the end of the season. However, if we go back a few months, the situation is much more pessimistic for the Austrian team.
A late development
The 2022 season had not yet begun and the team was already significantly behind its competitors. Indeed, while a fierce battle was raging between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen for the title, Mercedes prematurely stopped its development to focus on the 2022 car. Ferrari had taken the same approach earlier in the season. The excellent performances of Red Bull from the first races of the season will quickly reward the colossal efforts made by the Austrian team during the winter.
« Considering that we were the last team to transition to them, given what happened last year, I think our team has done an incredible job in delivering such a competitive car,” declared Christian Horner.
An impressive turn of events
The first Grand Prix of the championship was a real disappointment for Red Bull with two retirements due to mechanical failures for Max Verstappen, who was fighting for the victory. The Austrian team had a less performant car than Ferrari, but thanks to excellent race strategies, they managed to quickly gain the upper hand. Intensive development throughout the season allowed Max Verstappen to dominate his opponents and win 15 races and a second world championship title. Red Bull won their first constructors’ world championship title since 2013, the 5th in their history.
« To turn the situation around like that, I would have never imagined it, just like nobody on the team. It’s really enjoyable to be part of this team. We have a lot of fun. Of course, we focus on performance, but you also really have to enjoy the moment », said Max Verstappen, who is already thinking about next year. « We are already focusing on next year as well. You always say that you’re trying to do better. I know it’s hard to do much better than this season, but you should always strive for that. »
