Red Bull: who is behind its fifth constructors’ title and how did it break the Mercedes era?

In the motoring there are usually hegemonic periods. Eras of absolute dominance and undisputed reigns that happen in pilots and also with constructors. Perhaps because of the protagonism of the flashes, it is the men who get the glory of the memories. However, as the great Jorge “Chupo” Arriola rightly says, “they are still car races and that is why the cars are as important as the drivers”. That is why, although it is easy to marvel at the champagne baths and the stories of overcoming success, we cannot ignore the teams that make mortal dreams come true.

In these days that the category is experiencing a rebirth in the fans and that it is unavoidable to accept that youth is coming massively to the stands, it is understandable that for many new followers Ferrari is not relevant beyond the mention they saw in the movie “Cars” . This happens, perhaps, because for more than 14 years the Italian house has not been a champion. A drought that added to the bloopers that have starred in the pits this year and absurd strategies makes it almost impossible for new fans to see them as the giant they are. Let’s not forget that Ferrari is the great team in the category. The only one that has won 16 of the 65 disputed crowns.

Last Sunday, in Texas, Red Bull won its fifth constructors’ title and managed to break the Mercedes era. The German house came from eight consecutive crowns and this 2022 has had to see how the wings have stopped the extension of their record. Red Bull, which has not established itself as the best team since 2013, has had the pleasure of celebrating with 3 races remaining in the season.

And although what has been seen on the track has been overwhelming, it is important to make it clear that it is the product of a long-term work where the main piece has been the engineer Adrian Newey. A man who has managed to put ten historic cars on the track that broke all records in their seasons: the Red Bull 2010, 2011, 2013, 2021 and 2022, the Williams 1992, 1993 and 1996 as well as the McLaren 1998 and 2005.

However, not all is joy for Red Bull. This week the sanction for exceeding the budget limit of the category has been confirmed. Thus, the team will have to pay a fine of 7 million dollars and will have a 10% reduction in its aerodynamic development time, which will undoubtedly impact the car they have in 2023.

Having won the constructors’ championship, the team was entitled to 70% of the seventh-placed aerodynamic test time, but this will now be reduced by one tenth, which means that it is reduced to 63%. In the event that Ferrari and Mercedes maintain second and third place in the standings, they will have 75% and 80% of the aerodynamic testing time. Undoubtedly a strong punishment that made it seem that the two-time championship will be uphill.

———