Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton have dominated Formula One over the last seven years. The constructor has produced the world champion in each season during that period, with Hamilton being successful on six occasions since 2014.
Red Bull have worked hard to improve since their last victory in 2013. They have made some huge changes, most notably their decision to work on their technology which will allow them to produce their own engine after their deal with Honda comes to an end in 2021.
Arguably Red Bull’s greatest strength is their driver Max Verstappen. The 24-year-old has embraced all the changes to the Red Bull car since he joined the operation in 2016. He has broken multiple records since his debut in the sport six years ago.
"????????'???????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????????."
Lewis Hamilton on the challenge ahead in 2021's final 4️⃣ after Red Bull's "unbelievable" race-winning pace.#SkyF1 | #F1 | #MexicoGP ????????
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 8, 2021
Verstappen leads the way in the Drivers’ Championship this season. He has won eight of the opening 17 races on the calendar. He is now odds-on at 4-9 in the F1 betting for the title. If successful, it will be his maiden world championship, beating his previous best which is third place in 2019 and 2020.
Red Bull want to be independent
The decision to make the most of the technology available to them will allow Red Bull to become independent in F1. It will give them greater control over all aspects of their car, which may be a big advantage over their rivals.
Red Bull have tried to improve their car with every race in 2021, an approach that has worked well so far. Each team in F1 were given two development tokens this season. Red Bull used them both on improving the rear end of their car to improve the aerodynamic and machinal performance of their RB16B. This has helped their results since the procedure was carried out.
The constructor is not afraid to stand alone when it comes to big decisions in the sport. With this focus on more in-house activity, rather than outsourcing, we should see them do things that are new in the sport over the next few years.
F1 set to change rules in 2022
A new set of technical regulations will be introduced in 2022 by F1 to allow cars to take over each other on the track more easily. One of them will be to reduce the speed. The hope is racing will be more entertaining to watch, rather than dominated by the car which started in pole position.
The two Red Bull drivers have already had the chance to try their new cars on a simulator. This allows the drivers to report back to the constructor on where changes need to be made ahead of the new campaign in March.
The new changes could see more constructors challenge in 2022 and end Red Bull and Mercedes domination of the sport. The good news for Red Bull is that their number one driver Verstappen is signed up to them until the end of 2023, so they will have the advantage of his services.
For now, the focus on Red Bull will be to help Verstappen seal his maiden world title. Then the focus turns to 2022 where we will see if their brave decisions help them to more glory in the sport.
Photograph by Chi Hang Ong