Long Range Investment Pays Off for Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel became the youngest Formula 1 champion for Red Bull, a team that 14 years ago, when it put Vettel under contract at age nine, did not even exist.  Red Bull has long been considered the party guys of Formula 1, a team born out of Jackie Stewart's old squad. They found in the Austrian energy drink company the winning formula get to the top, money, talent and patience.    

For all his talent, the biggest star on the Red Bull team is not Sebastian Vettel, it is designer Adrien Newey.  Hiring him back in 2006 was Red Bull's greatest coup and the 2010 Red Bull RB6 will go down in racing history alongside greats like the Lotus 79,the Mclaren MP4/4 and Newey's own Williams FW14B. Like all those cars before, the RB6 was dominant with Vettel scoring 10 pole positions and Mark Webber another 5.

The Championship should never have been as close as it was. Despite its speed, it was a combination of mechanical issues and unforced errors by both Red Bull drivers that gave Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Mclaren's Lewis Hamilton the opportunity to keep on fighting for the win up to the final race of the season.  Ironically, it was an unforced error by the opposition at the most crucial time that allowed Sebastian Vettel to get the lead in the championship for the first time all season. Vettel never gave up and he never gave an inch, even to his team mate.  Remarkable poise for a 23 year old, albeit one with 15 year of racing experience and remarkable long range planning by Red Bull. They spent a lot of money but they have spent it well!

Read more from Andrea Cairone at Axis of Oversteer

Photo Credit: Andrea Cairone