At Suzuka it was interesting that Red Bull appeared to be dealing a KERS issue with Vettel's car and he wasn't able to get the start or make the traditional gap. Which could indicate their KERS is a form of outlaw traction control.

Red Bull made up for it with their now typical excellent race strategy and consistent mid-2 second pit performances.

At 2.99 for an 8oz can of the CRACK. Can you imagine HOW much they have to spend!!!
It truly is just as amazing a success story as the race events and cars they sponsor.

I would watch F1 more if they got way deeper into the Technical part. I know most can't fathom spending 1/2 Billion dollars a year and 300employees to go race 2 cars but that is the last number I heard that Ferrari spent and that was a few years ago. I am sure RB spends more than that. it really is crazy, and the governing body are all nut bars, talking out one side of their mouth saying they want to contain costs and the other side they change the engine program every season. if they gave the teams 5 years with a certain engine combination. I think you would see better racing, they would have time to develop the chassis and not have to worry about the powerplant. but what do I know??

Robin Hood in reverse. :D

Just the team transportation logistics and expense is mind boggling.

"nut bars" :lmao:

From Autoweek:

It is no secret that there is a close correlation in F1 between budget size and on-track results. RBR is one of the biggest spenders, and the scale of its investment is revealed in its latest financial statements, which are for the year ending Dec. 31, 2011.


The data show that the team had total costs of $284.4 million, an 11 percent increase compared to 2010. Unsurprisingly, research and development was one of its biggest single expenses—the team's parent company, Red Bull Technology, spent $112.8 million in that department. RBT does some marketing for Red Bull itself and also makes gearboxes for Caterham's F1 team, but its core business is designing RBR's F1 car, so this accounts for the vast majority of its R&D spending


Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2013...#ixzz2hkEzKvCn
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I thought I remember from an HBO show about Red Bull and their spending on racing, bmx, Xgames, plane races, parachute records, etc. was something like 54% of their income. That is beyond a huge % of a business budget, but when one has the reins of a privately held empire........

I too would like to see more of the tech side of it, but that does not fit into the average audience member desires. The vast majority of John Q. Pubic have no clue or care about it. They just like that it sounds neat.

Great article Carl - Thanks

Had a meeting w the Red Bull CIO a couple of years ago. I went in to talk about food and beverage distribution software. He promptly corrected me and told me, "we are not a food and beverage company, we are a marketing company."

Pretty much says it all...