Red Bull Technology
Encyclopedia
Red Bull Technology is a subsidiary
of energy drink company Red Bull
relating to motor racing
. It was set up by Red Bull to design, engineer and build the chassis
for its Formula One
racing team, Red Bull Racing
.
Among its employees, Red Bull Technology currently employs top aerodynamicist Adrian Newey
, as well as Toro Rosso technical director Giorgio Ascanelli.
and Scuderia Toro Rosso
) with the same car, which otherwise is prohibited in Formula One. The rival Spyker
team lodged complaints about this early in the season, as they were direct competitors with Toro Rosso. However, they were rebuffed by the sport's ruling body, the FIA. The Williams
team also believed the two cars were too similar.
Neither Red Bull Racing nor Scuderia Toro Rosso denied that what they ran was fundamentally the same chassis, but claimed that things such as separate development programs, differing engines as well as the fact that the chassis was designed by neither team made it legal. The two cars in question were the Scuderia Toro Rosso STR2 and the Red Bull RB3
, with each team claiming that they owned the intellectual rights to their car.
Although their cars were virtually identical, with both sharing the quick-shift gearbox technology which debuted at the 2007 Spanish Grand Prix
, the results of Toro Rosso
had left a lot to be desired considering the hype surrounding their car earlier in the year as well as the controversy of the chassis's origins in Red Bull Technology. However, Toro Rosso eclipsed Red Bull Racing in the 2008 season by finishing 6th in the Constructors championship with 39 points, compared to Red Bull Racing's 7th place with 29 points. This effort was helped by winning the Italian Grand Prix
, with Sebastian Vettel
claiming a first pole position and the first win for himself and the team.
From 2010 onwards, new rules brought in to Formula One outlawed the use of identical cars between teams, and Scuderia Toro Rosso can no longer share chassis designs with Red Bull Racing. Each team now designs and builds their own chassis in house.
Subsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
of energy drink company Red Bull
Red Bull
Red Bull is an energy drink sold by the Austrian Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987 by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, with 3 billion cans sold each year. Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an already...
relating to motor racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
. It was set up by Red Bull to design, engineer and build the chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
for its Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
racing team, Red Bull Racing
Red Bull Racing
Red Bull Racing is a Formula One racing team based in Milton Keynes, England which currently holds an Austrian licence. It is, along with Scuderia Toro Rosso, one of two teams owned by beverage company Red Bull GmbH. The team have won two Constructors' Championship titles, in and , becoming the...
.
Among its employees, Red Bull Technology currently employs top aerodynamicist Adrian Newey
Adrian Newey
Adrian Newey is a notable Formula One engineer and widely regarded one of the great engineers in the sport's history. He is the only designer to have won Constructors Championships with three different Formula One teams...
, as well as Toro Rosso technical director Giorgio Ascanelli.
Controversy
Red Bull Technology was generally regarded as a loop-hole used by Red Bull to run two teams (Red Bull RacingRed Bull Racing
Red Bull Racing is a Formula One racing team based in Milton Keynes, England which currently holds an Austrian licence. It is, along with Scuderia Toro Rosso, one of two teams owned by beverage company Red Bull GmbH. The team have won two Constructors' Championship titles, in and , becoming the...
and Scuderia Toro Rosso
Scuderia Toro Rosso
Scuderia Toro Rosso , also known simply as Toro Rosso or by its abbreviation STR, is an Italian Formula One racing team...
) with the same car, which otherwise is prohibited in Formula One. The rival Spyker
Spyker F1
Spyker F1 Team was a Formula One team that competed in the 2007 Formula One World Championship, and was created by Spyker Cars after their buyout of the short-lived Midland F1 team...
team lodged complaints about this early in the season, as they were direct competitors with Toro Rosso. However, they were rebuffed by the sport's ruling body, the FIA. The Williams
WilliamsF1
Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited, trading as AT&T Williams, is a British Formula One motor racing team and constructor. It was founded and run by Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head...
team also believed the two cars were too similar.
Neither Red Bull Racing nor Scuderia Toro Rosso denied that what they ran was fundamentally the same chassis, but claimed that things such as separate development programs, differing engines as well as the fact that the chassis was designed by neither team made it legal. The two cars in question were the Scuderia Toro Rosso STR2 and the Red Bull RB3
Red Bull RB3
The Red Bull Racing RB3 is a Formula One racing car produced by Red Bull Racing for the 2007 season. It was the team's first Adrian Newey-designed car and used Renault RS27 engines, after the team's contract with Ferrari was transferred to the Toro Rosso team....
, with each team claiming that they owned the intellectual rights to their car.
Although their cars were virtually identical, with both sharing the quick-shift gearbox technology which debuted at the 2007 Spanish Grand Prix
2007 Spanish Grand Prix
The 2007 Gran Premio de España Telefónica was a Formula One motor race, fourth round of the 2007 Formula One season, won by Felipe Massa. It was held on the weekend of 11–13 May at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain.-Background:...
, the results of Toro Rosso
Scuderia Toro Rosso
Scuderia Toro Rosso , also known simply as Toro Rosso or by its abbreviation STR, is an Italian Formula One racing team...
had left a lot to be desired considering the hype surrounding their car earlier in the year as well as the controversy of the chassis's origins in Red Bull Technology. However, Toro Rosso eclipsed Red Bull Racing in the 2008 season by finishing 6th in the Constructors championship with 39 points, compared to Red Bull Racing's 7th place with 29 points. This effort was helped by winning the Italian Grand Prix
2008 Italian Grand Prix
The 2008 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on September 14, 2008 at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy. It was the 14th race of the 2008 Formula One season. The race, contested over 53 laps, was won by Sebastian Vettel for the Toro Rosso team after starting...
, with Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel is a German Formula One racing driver, currently driving for Red Bull Racing. He is the current World Champion, having won the championship in and ....
claiming a first pole position and the first win for himself and the team.
From 2010 onwards, new rules brought in to Formula One outlawed the use of identical cars between teams, and Scuderia Toro Rosso can no longer share chassis designs with Red Bull Racing. Each team now designs and builds their own chassis in house.