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A lot has changed in the nine seasons since Red Bull Racing won its last constructors’ championship.
Sebastian Vettel — who won four straight Drivers’ and constructors’ titles with the team from 2010 to 2013 — is retiring. Formula 1 has implemented a budget cap that has forced teams to get creative with their spending.
And Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz wasn’t around to celebrate with his beloved team, dying one day before the United States Grand Prix.
But on Sunday, the organization’s skill at adapting to those changes paid off, as RBR rode Max Verstappen’s 13th win this season back to glory — and a fifth constructors’ championship.
Verstappen — who captured his second straight drivers’ championship this season — might take the headlines, but Red Bull’s title was the result of astute investment.
- In March, Verstappen agreed to a multiyear extension reportedly worth $53.3 million per season that will keep him with the team through 2028.
- In July, Sergio Perez agreed to an extension that will keep him with RBR through 2024 for an undisclosed sum; “Checo” has won two races this season and sits third in the drivers’ standings.
- Christian Horner’s team is in negotiations with the FIA over its alleged minor budget cap violation from the 2021 season; it’s attempting to stay under a $140M cap this season.
Red Bull’s crowning achievement ended a dynasty that saw Mercedes win eight straight constructors’ championships from 2014 through 2021; Lewis Hamilton won six drivers’ championships with the Silver Arrows in that span.
But now, the budget cap — in its second season — could prevent dynasties from flourishing in the future, as it is meant to promote parity across F1.
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