Red Bull Racing: The Rise and Fall

Hermione Morgan
Jan 8
3 min read

From Newcomers to F1 Powerhouse and What's Next

When Red Bull burst onto the Formula 1 scene in 2005, few could of predicted the incredible journey that lay ahead. What started as a bold venture by an energy drinks company has transformed into one of the most successful and influential teams in the sport's history.

A History Built on Innovation and Success

After taking over the struggling Jaguar Racing outfit, Red Bull initially laboured at the back of the grid, scoring only occasional points. Their breakthrough came in 2009, when Sebastian Vettel delivered the team's first victory - a launchpad for domination with Christian Horner at the helm.

From 2010 to 2013, the dominant pairing of Red Bull and Vettel achieved something extraordinary: four consecutive Drivers' World Championships and four consecutive Constructors' Championships. This established them among the elite of Formula 1.

However, the sport's dynamics shifted in 2014 with the arrival of hybrid power units, and Mercedes became the dominant force. Red Bull fought hard but often played catch-up. This was until a new star emerged...

The Verstappen Era

Enter Max Verstappen. Since his promotion to the senior team in 2016, Verstappen has rewritten the record books with Red Bull. Between 2021 and 2024, he secured multiple World Championships, spearheading a period of extraordinary success for the Milton Keynes squad. Their RB19 car smashed records in 2023, winning 21 of 23 races in arguably one of the most dominant seasons in F1 history.

By mid-2020s, Red Bull had amassed over 120 wins, more than 280 podiums and multiple world titles, cementing their place as one of the sport's modern greats.

Key Ingredient to Their Success

Much of Red Bull's rise was built on brilliant engineering - most notably through legendary designer Adrian Newey - whose chassis designs helped craft numerous champions.

Off-track innovation has also been crucial. The team's embrace of AI, cloud computing and advanced simulations has streamlined design and performance development in an era where milliseconds make all the difference.

The mid-2020s have been a turbulent period for the team.

LEADERSHIP SHAKE-UP

In mid-2025, Red Bull made the shock decision to replace long-serving team principal, Christian Horner, ending a 20-year era that delivered most of the team's championships. Laurent Mekies stepped in as CEO, ushering in a new leadership phase.

LINE-UP EVOLUTION

For the 2026 season, Red Bull confirmed a new driver pairing with Max Verstappen continuing as team leader alongside Isack Hadjar, a promising young talent promoted from the junior team, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.

TECHNICAL OVERHAUL

The biggest shift is yet to come with the 2026 regulations. Red Bull is set to develop its first in-house developed power unit through Red Bull Powertrains with technical support from Ford, abandoning Honda power. Integrating this new engine while adapting to drastic rule changes will be one of their biggest engineering challenges, but also a massive opportunity.

The Future

So, what lies ahead for Red Bull in the ever-evolving theatre of Formula 1?

The transition to a self-developed engine under the Red Bull-Ford partnership will define the next decade. Early indications are that this ambitious project could pay off if they manage the steep learning curve.

With Mekies at the helm and a renewed technical direction post-Newey and Horner, the team is entering a new organisational chapter. This fresh structure needs to balance innovation with the competitive instinct that brought them success for two decades.

Red Bull's famous driver academy continues to produce talent. Bringing in Hadjar could usher in a new era of success if he rises to the challenge alongside Verstappen.

Red Bull won't settle for anything less than competing at the front of the grid. They remain hungry for both Drivers' and Constructors' championships. With intelligent engineering, strong leadership and Verstappen's brilliance, they're set to be headline contenders for years to come.

Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the world of Formula 1, Red Bull Racing's story is one of ambition, reinvention and resilience. The next chapter promises just as much excitement as the last.