Brawn GP/Red Bull: a shared dream?

Out of 17 races, 9 remain. Today, during the summer break, it’s time to take stock. Let’s take a closer look at the two best teams on the grid.

In the first 8 Grand Prix races, we observe 6 victories for Brawn GP and 2 victories for Red Bull. Even more impressive, there are 5 one-two finishes (2 in favor of the Red Bull – Renault team, and 3 for Brawn GP – Mercedes). Since the new regulations from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) for the year 2009, these two teams alone have managed to break away from the pack. The competition is far behind, very far. Can we then speak of an undisputed reign?

Like the phoenix rising from its ashes, the first sensation obviously comes from Ross Brawn and his team, Brawn GP powered by Mercedes. More than 13 points per race, and 8 Grand Prix later, we reach the prolific result of 105 points in the bag. Brawn GP, a successful team whose drivers have already proven their talent in handling a single-seater many times. A Rubens Barrichello capable of bringing the necessary points to Ferrari during Schumacher’s reign. A Jenson Button victorious in Hungary in 2006, and known for having one of the most pleasant driving styles on the grid. The BGP 001 is making a sensation, and how! Button has 64 points at the start of the German Grand Prix. In 2008 and 2007, the British driver only scored 3 and 6 points with an overly sluggish and poorly tuned Honda. This year, not only is the car perfectly balanced, but a diffuser hidden at the rear of the single-seater providing ground effect has significantly given Ross Brawn’s team an advantage.

The other sensation comes from the team of Austrian Mateschitz. While Red Bull finished in a very modest 7th place in 2008 with 29 points, it’s now racking up points such that Mark Webber, Red Bull’s 2nd driver, has more points in 8 races (35.5) than the whole team did in an entire season! Vettel, a talented race driver and formidable fighter, is now, after the Silverstone race, at 39 points. It’s clear that the Red Bull duo is being talked about in the paddocks as the most balanced pair.

The RB5, crafted by Adrian Newey, collects podiums. We observe that the Red Bull Racing team has more than double the points of Toyota, the third-best team at the start of the season. This year, the RB5 has reached levels the team had never experienced before. Newey, a brilliant engineer of his time, has been able to explore the 2009 regulations from all angles. Just look at how Vettel pushes his car over the curbs and comes out unscathed. By comparison, Hamilton, taking the same trajectory, suffers from the rigidity of his car and spins out. It’s not for nothing that the RB5 is said to be the most balanced car among all the Grand Prix single-seaters. Added to this is a Renault engine that withstands all tests, with proven reliability, making it the second-best team of 2009.

While we were expecting the ‘big teams’ like Ferrari, McLaren, BMW, or Renault this season, two teams seemingly out of nowhere have managed to shake up the characteristic hierarchy of Formula 1. Such diversity might not please everyone, and yet, we become attached to the fabulous destinies of these teams… living their dreams. So, Brawn GP and Red Bull… a shared dream? All that’s left is to finalize it, and the world championship titles will complete their records.

Article moderated on 06/29/2009 at 11:39 PM