The curious case of Red Bull's place in F1 history

By:

Alex Kalinauckas

Jun 21, 2023, 9:05 AM

OPINION: Red Bull has reached a place in Formula 1 history where only four other teams already reside – possessing 100 grand prix victories. But, while lasting success wins some supporters, Red Bull isn’t quite as revered as other famous motorsport marques. Is it just a number game? Or is that its own fault?

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Formula 1 isn’t a place, primarily, to make friends. Not in the ‘Piranha Club’. Winning trumps all. Because success means money. Desire. Design beauty. Thrill-seeking. It’s all intrinsically linked to driving the ruthless, processional circle of success, silverware and cash.

That’s on the inside. For most on the outside, something softer, more subjective pervades. F1 represents escapism, youth, family and fond memories, joyful obsession. These days, once a year, it’s another streaming binge.

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Alex Kalinauckas

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Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.

A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.