Red Bull Racing: History of the Team

Red Bull is an energy drink company that has never made cars, has no dealer network, and no one has ever bought one in a showroom. Still, under the Red Bull name, it has won six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ championships in 22 seasons — more than most automakers have won after spending billions on their own factory teams. I think it’s incredibly ironic, and I think people in Milton Keynes will love it.

Red Bull Racing at a glance

Stewart, Ford and a symbolic dollar

The team was called the Stewart Grand Prix, founded in 1996 by Jackie Stewart and his son Paul. They had works Ford engines and a factory in Milton Keynes. The team began competing in 1997, with Johnny Herbert winning the 1999 European Grand Prix. Ford bought the team and renamed it Jaguar, but Jaguar didn’t have much success for the next five seasons until November 15, 2004, when Red Bull agreed to buy the team. Ford reportedly only asked for a token fee of $1 and a commitment to making a significant investment over the next three years.

The party team grows up

In 2005, Red Bull Racing was known for its motorhome, music, and parties. Christian Horner, just 31 and fresh out of the F3000 racing scene, was the team principal. That all changed in 2006 when Adrian Newey left McLaren. In 2009, Sebastian Vettel scored Red Bull’s first victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, following his victory at Monza with Toro Rosso the previous year.

Four in a row with Vettel

From 2010 to 2013, Red Bull Racing won the driver and team championships. Vettel won his first world championship in 2010 in Abu Dhabi, and while he wasn’t leading the points standings that year, he went on to win three more world championships. Honestly, I was amazed and angry at these cars at the time because they were so powerful and the races were so predictable.

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The Verstappen years

Then came the hybrid era, and Mercedes became dominant. And Red Bull had to wait longer. Max Verstappen joined Red Bull in 2016 and won his first weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix. A last-minute overtake in Abu Dhabi earned him the 2021 world championship, but the debate continues and he won three more. Red Bull won the Constructors’ Championship in 2022 and 2023. In 2025, Verstappen was more than 100 points behind at one point, but ultimately lost to Lando Norris by two points, lost the championship, and that was Max Verstappen in one sentence.

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A turbulent change at the top

The past two years have been tumultuous. Newey announced his departure in 2024 and joined Aston Martin in March 2025. After the 2025 British Grand Prix, Horner, who had led the team for 20 years, was sacked and replaced by Laurent Mekies, Racing Bulls’ manager. Horner reportedly received a severance of £80 million. Helmut Marko found Vettel and Verstappen. He retired after 20 years in that position.

Ford power and the 2026 season

In 2026, Red Bull will develop its own engine in collaboration with Ford for the first time, a partnership announced on February 3, 2023. Ford sold the team to Red Bull nearly two decades ago. Mekies described the development of the motor from scratch as “crazy.” At first, it seemed unbelievable. This summer, he told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, “After the summer holidays, we will focus mainly on cars for next year.”

Their efforts paid off. On October 4, at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir, Bahrain, Verstappen started from pole position and eventually took the win, marking Red Bull’s first victory with a Ford engine. “This is a watershed moment for Red Bull,” Mekies said. A week later, Verstappen scored a victory on his 250th start in Singapore, his first in Singapore. On November 1, he won again in Mexico City. After the Mexico City Grand Prix in November 2026, Red Bull was third with 382 points. Verstappen was second with 261 points, but Kimi Antonelli had already clinched the drivers’ championship, and Mercedes led the constructors’ championship. Teammate Isack Hadjar missed the Dutch Grand Prix with a wrist injury and was replaced by Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls.

The future of Red Bull is not limited to strong teams. Cadillac joined for the 2026 season, Audi has taken over Sauber, and Williams is looking to replicate Horner’s success 20 years ago with James Vowles. But not every team at the track starts like Red Bull, from a drinks company.

Judging from the results, it seems that everyone’s opinions are consistent with each other.

Questions about Red Bull Racing

01

When did Red Bull buy its Formula 1 team?

Red Bull agreed to buy Jaguar Racing on November 15, 2004, and raced as Red Bull Racing from 2005.

02

How many titles has Red Bull Racing won?

Six constructors’ titles and eight drivers’ titles, four each for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

03

Who runs Red Bull Racing now?

Laurent Mekies, who replaced Christian Horner as team principal and CEO in July 2025.

04

What engine does Red Bull use in 2026?

Its own Red Bull Ford DM01 power unit, built with Ford.

05

When was Red Bull’s first Formula 1 win?

At the 2009 Chinese Grand Prix, won by Sebastian Vettel.

06

Who drives for Red Bull in 2026?

Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, with Liam Lawson standing in for Hadjar at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Annie is an automotive writer for GreenyCars. Years around Formula 1 paddocks during her marriage to a racing driver left her with strong opinions about drivers and team bosses, and she now writes about everything from Grand Prix racing to EVs and hybrids.