Dietrich Mateschitz founded the Red Bull company in 1984, after discovering the drink on a business trip to Asia, with an initial investment of $500,000. The Austrian, who was born in Styria in 1944, during the final turmoil of the Second World War, always believed that extreme sports and motorsports, a passion, were ideal tools to promote his brand. The first contact with Formula 1 came as a sponsor of another Austrian, Gerhard Berger. Gradually, the company became more and more involved in the world of F1 until a unique possibility arose at the end of 2004: Ford did not want to continue in the category and almost finished with the Jaguar team. Mateschitz, neither dull nor lazy, accepted the possibility and for a symbolic sum of money he remained with the Milton Keynes team to debut in 2005 as Red Bull, with Christian Horner as director. Success is not instant, far from it. He rowed quite a bit until the era of glory and titles began with Sebastian Vettel. Then came the hegemony of Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton, to return to the top with a driver destined to occupy a place on Olympus: Max Verstappen. And the Dutchman’s victory in Japan gave Red Bull its sixth Constructors’ crown in history.
As expected from Friday’s tests, the two-time champion had no rivals at the Japanese track, where the 17th round of the 74th year of Formula 1 was held, a season experienced by Star+ (excluding in Mexico). The Dutchman experienced only a little heat at the start, due to the good start of Lando Norris from third place, who was able to match him. But it was only a look, because Verstappen was able to withstand the attack and the rest was a real walk. There were no complications and Red Bull returned to the top, as it has all year, except for Singapore, which may be remembered in time as the freckle of the RB19’s great performance in 2023.
“It’s been a fantastic weekend and to win here is great. The car works well with all compounds. I may have lost a tire at the start, but after that it was easy,” said Verstappen, who is about to add his name to the list of Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton. Senna is all three-time champion that Formula 1 has had in its history.
The title settled is the team title for Red Bull, the sixth in its history (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2022 and 2023). “The most important thing is to win the Constructors’ championship. I am very proud of the whole team, who have worked here on the track and also in the factory. The season has been unbelievable so far,” said Max. But, again, the team energy drinks already got the seventh drivers’ crown, because with six more dates to play, only the drivers of the Austrian squad have the chance to be crowned. (in the terrible race, which ended in abandonment), if there were 180 left. The next appointment will be in Qatar and there will be a sprint race, therefore, it is possible that the Dutchman will celebrate his third conquest on Saturday in Losail. When the sprint is over, there will be 172 units to contend with, because the Mexican must win the short race and Max will finish seventh or worse. The fantasy world is in Disney, not in Formula 1…
JAPAN GP RESULT
It’s been a while since the World Cup ended. Carlos Sainz could take the medal of honor for winning the only race of 2023 without a Red Bull. The Austrians’ celebration was almost universal at Suzuka. It was incomplete due to the poor performance of Pérez, who had a day to forget. He started badly, leaving him involved in a touch, after taking Kevin Magnussen in a unique way, more damage to the RB19 and leaving. A little time on the track, after many laps in the pits, only serves as a five-second penalty and will not carry it in the backpack in Qatar. Christian Horner does not hesitate to highlight the importance of the man from Guadalajara to the Constructors’ title. And really, his points are the key for the conquest that comes very early. It is also true that Verstappen only got 95 points from all Mercedes, second in the team tournament.
Verstappen will be the champion in Qatar. What is left to be resolved in the 2023 World Cup? Constructors’ runners-up promises to be a neck-and-neck battle between the Silver Arrows and Ferrari (the Germans lead by 20 points). And also the runner-up of the drivers, the place that Checo should not miss. This is Red Bull’s last wish, to achieve something he has never achieved: 1-2 in the World Championship of drivers. Pérez leads Lewis Hamilton by 33 points. Anything else? Find out if Max breaks the record of 15 hits in a season. Everything seems to indicate that he will achieve it.
