2013 Team Reviews: Red Bull

The Team Review series draws to a close, but not before the World Champions, Infiniti Red Bull Racing are placed under the microscope. 2013 was an incredible year for the Milton Keynes based team, as the now four time World Champion Sebastian Vettel, notched up 13 victories, wrapping up the title in India and claiming an unprecedented nine consecutive wins. With long-time servant of the team Mark Webber announcing his retirement and a dramatic team orders fiasco, 2013 was a year to remember for the Red Bull juggernaut.

Brazilian Grand Prix: Race Anaysis

The 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix was never set to live up to the thrilling climax from 2012, yet the final race of this season was undoubtedly a special occasion for many reasons. Sebastian Vettel claimed his ninth consecutive win and his thirteenth of the season; equalling the respective records set by Ascari and Schumacher. It was an impressive drive once again, but it was teammate Mark Webber who stole the show. His final race ended with a well deserved podium in P2 making it yet another Red Bull 1-2, capping off another magical season for them.

Check out Sky Sports F1's photo gallery for the Brazilian Grand Prix

Japanese Grand Prix: Qualifying Analysis

Suzuka always provides red hot action, with today's qualifying session being no exception to the rule, in more ways than one. Sebastian Vettel was the overwhelming favourite to claim another Pole Position, however, a fundamental KERS issue derailed his FP3 session and returned to haunt him in qualifying. With the German faltering, his rivals tried to capitalize, with Mark Webber snatching Pole away from his teammate - The first time that Mark has outperformed Sebastian on a Saturday all season. All is not lost for Vettel though, as a P2 starting position could well prove prosperous tomorrow.

Red Bull Decline Raikkonen

After weeks of speculation, Red Bull appear to have drawn a step closer to deciding Mark Webber's replacement for 2014 and beyond. Since the Aussie announced his pending retirement prior to the British Grand Prix, the team have been frantically calculating who would be the best partner to Sebastian Vettel in the years to come. While many drivers had been suggested as possible candidates, the team stated that either Daniel Ricciardo or Kimi Raikkonen would claim the precious seat. However, a recent statement from Kimi Raikkonen's management suggested that Red Bull talks broke down three weeks ago; The Finn is no longer in the running for the seat. Consequently, it now looks as though Daniel Ricciardo is about to gain his big break, however, it is not quite that straightforward.

Hungarian Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

The tenth round of the season got underway in scintillating style this morning, with teams embarking on packed schedules as they looked to examine the latest incarnations of Pirelli tyres. Consequently, teams and fans learnt a lot from both FP1 and FP2, with the most poignant discovery being the sheer dominance of the RB9. While the Hungaroring is a circuit which typically plays to Red Bull's strengths, both Vettel and Webber showed outstanding long and short run performance, sending out an ominous message to their rivals. Lotus appear to be the only team who can hold a candle to Red Bull this weekend. 

Webber Confirms F1 Retirement

Following months of rumour and speculation, Mark Webber has today confirmed that he will be turning his back on Formula One at the end of the season to team up with Porsche's new sports-car programme. While much of the speculation was triggered by the controversial Malaysian Grand Prix, Webber has maintained that this was not a motive for his final decision.

Canadian Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

Following a heavily disrupted FP3, Qualifying was a relentless tale of intermediate runs, as teams failed to predict the unpredictable Montreal weather patterns. The circuit was damp throughout, which favored Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel, who put an end to Mercedes' dominant string of Pole Positions. However, Lewis Hamilton proved just how strong he is around Canada, lining up P2 and overcoming his persistent brake issues. Performance of the day goes to Valtteri Bottas, who not only made it into Q3, but qualified an awe inspiring P3.

Horner Unfazed By Unpopularity

Following a highly controversial start to 2013, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has stated that he is unfazed by his diminishing popularity, acknowledging that F1 is "not a popularity contest". Christian, alongside driver, Sebastian Vettel, have suffered abject media coverage over the past weeks, yet Horner maintains that success breeds contempt.

Red Bull Contemplate Kimi

In the wake of the Multi-21 fiasco, questions have been asked regarding Mark Webber's seat. While the Aussie may remain at the team for the rest of the season, it is predicted that he will call time on his career at the end of the season. Subsequently, replacements have been suggested, while team owner Dietrich Mateschitz has admitted that Kimi Raikkonen is a prime candidate to partner Sebastian Vettel in the future.

The Red Bull Dilemma

Red Bull Racing are a team which have been in the spotlight throughout the whole of this week. Sebastian Vettel's contentious victory in Malaysia has encouraged an array of ex-drivers and principals to speak out, with many demanding Sebastian to be heavily punished. However, Christian Horner is in an almost inescapable dilemma as he has seemingly lost control of the team.
In case you have been living in a cave for the past week, here is a brief recap of the events which have left Red Bull in disarray. Mark Webber led the race and was in a commanding position ahead of Vettel and the two Mercedes.

2012 - A Year In Review

2012 was an incredible year of sport, and Formula One played its part. The longest season ever brought 20 spectacular races, each filled with excitement, drama, and controversy. Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso took the title fight to Brazil; a race with enough action to fill an entire season, let alone 90 minutes. Vettel briefly lost the title, then recaptured it, completing a stunning comeback drive, reminiscent of Schumacher's Brazilian heroics of 2006. A stunning race, encapsulated a stunning year.

American Grand Prix: Race Analysis

Lewis Hamilton made it two out of two in the USA yesterday, after taking the win in the inaugural GP to be held at CotA, in Texas. The Brit has continued his 100% run in America after he took his second win of his career in 2007 at Indianapolis. Sebastian Vettel could only manage second, yet felt the win was snatched away from him by backmarker's blocking through the tricky sector 1 complex. Fernando Alonso finished third, taking the championship fight to Interlagos. However, Ferrari will come under fire for their unorthadox tactics, of moving Fernando onto the clean side of the grid. On the other hand, Ferrari are used to their share of controversy over the years.

Indian Grand Prix: Race Analysis

Sebastian Vettel took another step towards the 2012 title yesterday, with an emphatic victory in the Indian Grand Prix, with championship rival, Fernando Alonso finishing almost 10 seconds adrift. The win now puts Vettel 13 points clear at the head of the championship. He remains the only person to ever win an Indian Grand Prix, following the heroics of 2011.

Korean Grand Prix: Race Analysis

Fernando Alonso has today, lost his grip on the championship, as Sebastian Vettel wins the Korean Grand Prix, to make it three wins in a row for the German, who keeps going from strength to strength. The RB8 is the fastest car in Formula One at the moment, and it would take a brave man to bet against Vettel claiming his third world championship in succession, after today's dominant performance.