https://willthef1journo.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/red-bull-wants-to-quit-let-it/ Great points, especially about 2013
Even as an RB fan... I do have to say I can't disagree with much in the article. I'm not a fan of the the nee PUs and how things are legislated but at some point the complaining has to stop and teams just need to get on with it. The thing is... There has to be a way to do so. Without the uninhibited ability to adapt to competition, how is this a competitive sport. Cutting costs is fine... But eliminating testing and engine modifications isn't the way to go. Until things change though, RB should stop the public complaining and threats because it certainly doesn't help their cause nor their reputation.
Dietrich is threatening to quit - Hope they sell out to Audi Red Bull chief Dietrich Mateschitz reiterates Formula 1 quit threat - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com
When you're on top, you owe it all to yourself. When you fall, you quit and blame others. Red Bull Wins = Newey and Horner. Red Bull Losses = Renault power units
IMO RB in F1 makes the sport slightly cheesy You got Ferrari Merc and McLaren makers of elegant road cars with sex appeal on the other hand you got a Soda company that sells you a get high drink :-/
Yep. RB is sinking whilst Ferrari (& Mcl IMHO) are rising and RB can't fathom that. They should sell ASAP as the incessant whining will only hurt their reputation.
As much as I respect Ferrari and McLaren, if Red Bull /Benetton showed them up then power to them. Besides it's not like they brought out a car from scratch anyway - Toleman/Jaguar etc.... Best, Sammy
+1 I really don't have any problems with a rich guy or company buying their way into F1, (regarding Red Bull, but yeah, blaming Renault comes across as whining to me) so it just makes me wonder how much money WOULD it take for a Red Bull or Haas to build engines and chasis all on their own? Apparently more than the 100-300 million or so they are spending now I'd guess!
I think the real reason is that the Red Bull business model is not as productive as it used to be. Energy Drink consumption is down in the Western world - USA sales of Red Bull are 13.5% off 2013 in 2014. Many Schools - Universities, and health concious companies are not alowing these kinds of drinks on the property so the revenue is down. To me it makes sense to cut back on the advertizing now - before your entire busienss crashes out and or take that money you spend in F-1 and put to development of new beverage and focuson 3rd world markets. sure the team are upset at Renault etc... but to spend all the money and still have a shrinking market does not make busienss sense. concentrate on personal sports and events for 18-35 demo. Bars and night life are still showing growing sales for RB... but that is a competitive sector that does not watch F-1. its a bit like tobacco cycle. if you can sell to Audi - and make back your initial investment + ROI. why not? and you had a hell of a lot of fun along the way. BTW - Coke is going after RB big time with BURN - in many 3rd world markets and kicking their Butts.. ( we sell both world wide so I'm confident in my numbers)
I don't mind the complaining. All of the teams complain at one time or another and many have threatened to quit. And that Renault engine deserves a bit of complaining. Renault also has a right to complain about the Red Bull since it is contributing to the problem also.
Red Bull may be a drinks company with no real dog in the manufacturer fight but they do account for four of the twenty entires in F-1. If Red Bull decides to pull out, the F-1 grid will look far more paltry than it does now (and it's an embarrassingly small grid already). There may or may not be a replacement or anyone else to step into their place, then Bernie has a real problem on his hands fulfilling his obligations to the tracks to have full grids. Given Red Bull's involvement in just about every other form of motor sport from desert raids to touring cars to skate boarders and everything in between, they may obviously take their marketing money in any direction they wish. Were I Bernie, I'd be taking their quit threat seriously and talking to the FIA about lifting this absurd engine freeze rule as under the rule, there is no way Audi throws its hat into the ring. BHW
RB gets 100's millions from F1 That could be redirected to new teams F1 would miss nothing with RB gone just like when Benetton sold out - IMO
Both Red Bull teams are attractive enough to attract potential buyers. I really doubt that RB and STR would have to close their doors without attracting any investors. Mateschizt may not get back all the money he had spent over the years, but I would be surprised if he just decided to walk away from F1 without negotiating a financial exit.
With a continual drop in Red Bull sales I doubt they will stay in F1 long Also the rules now favor engine manufactures rather than aerodynamics
That is until all the engine manufacturers get their act together and become equal in tems of power and raliability, then chassis will become all important (and not only areodynamics alone) as it's always the case in motor racing. It's only a matter of time. Engine designers are mostly hampered by stupid rules (in my opinion) that prevent them from constantly develop and test their power units as they used to. Now, they have to fight back any domination with a straightjacket.
+1 IMO, one the "issues" they're having right now is "putting the power down" - "driveability" seems to be the hot topic. They're searching for low end traction. [Unless you're the Cans, and then it seems you can't make the thing stop. ] I hear you, but I'm not convinced that's actually the case - The token system may be crazy, but it does mean they can't use the "scattergun" approach to development of years past. Cheers, Ian
Ouch! I'm beginning to believe Mr M is getting bored with it..... "I won 4 successive titles, what else do I have to prove?" Then there's the story he's about to buy (has bought?) Leeds Utd soccer club in the UK. No doubt with dreams of leading (spending?) them back to the top in the EPL. Not an easy task...... Remember also that *many*, *many* others have come before - had their wallets emptied, and never won a race, let alone a title or four........ Cheers, Ian
I think they could leave now and still spin the 'we came, we saw, we conquered' line regarding their history in the sport. They have some nice shiny trophies and cars to park in their HQ, two decent teams with great assets and staff to sell on and they can then put their money and energy into another venture. Taking Leeds back to the big time and associating that achievement with their brand, given the popularity of the Premier League around the world would be a great choice. Any longer and the public perception of F1 and their company would begin to have a bitter after taste IMO.
I was a huge RB and Vettel fan during their glory years. I think Vettel had great foresight to leave RB when he did, and RB's complete lack of class & dignity this year seems to validate his decision to join SF. RB reminds me of a spoiled brat holding his breath and throwing a tantrum. How sad. I hope someone in the racing realm buys them and lets the fizzy drink makers redirect their negative energy to other pursuits. I feel sorry for Ricciardo, who is class act. He'll land on his feet regardless of what the Austrian infants decide to do.........