Red Bull Racing in 2017: The Cultivation of Imminent Success
How can one describe Red Bull Racing’s start to the 2017 season? Demanding, persistent, enthusiastic? It is clear that it has presented an amalgamation of many different feelings. As fans, we can be certain that we expected the unexpected as we descended into the perplexing environment of multiple new challenges, obstacles and surprises, that have arose as a result of the new regulation changes. One can also agree that, amidst the growth of a so far predominant championship contention between Mercedes and Ferrari, Red Bull Racing are rather reluctant to settle for below their expectations. They are hardly lacklustre, or sombre, rather progressive, optimistic. The season commenced in Albert Park, Melbourne — the home race of car #3, Daniel Ricciardo. An unfortunate incident rewarded him with only a 10th place Grid slot, with Max able to contend for 5th, demonstrating the clear power of the RB13. Both a DNF and 5th place finish were collected in Australia — met by a message consequently sent to the Press - “we will be back stronger”. This was reflected in China, with a lockout of the second row with 3rd and 4th place finishes for Max and Daniel respectively. On to Bahrain, Daniel was able to jump from 5th to 4th place to collect a satisfying 12 points. The same feeling of satisfaction was not shared by Max, whom was struck with an unfortunate brake failure. Nonetheless, determination grew towards Russia, where instead Daniel suffered a retirement, whereas Max jumped 2 grid slots to achieve 5th place. Christian Horner revealed prior to Sochi that the race would be “about damage limitation” for the team, but that proved to be an understatement, following Ricciardo’s departure from the race after five laps with his right-rear brakes on fire (his second mechanical failure after Australia). Verstappen was evidently lonely, finishing more than a minute behind Bottas, but nonetheless relieved from a pre-race scare of a water leak. Red Bull Racing’s frantic and efficient efforts in reviving the car did not go unnoticed. The echoes of an apparent eventual chassis update were prominent in the minds of both bemused drivers and engineers, remaining motivated by the “can do better” attitude. Since then, Max Verstappen has suffered a further 3 retirements, provoked by suspension damage, engine failure and loss of oil pressure. The absence of correlation between these should provide reassurance for a driver who, like the team, has so much to give. On the contrast, Daniel Ricciardo has enjoyed 4 successive appearances on the rostrum, so far peaking with an unprecedented but thoroughly deserved win in Baku. Mentions of “luck” by rivals are being cautiously dismissed by a team whom seem certain their fulfilling victory is both a sign of the impressive and influential aerodynamic work provided by recent updates - and a turning point for the remainder of the season, yet to unfold. It is thus clear that attention and interest associated with the resurgent Red Bull Racing Team is not fading, nor stagnant, yet ever more growing and significant. As simple and direct as the words of Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing are “ready to rise again”.
