While Red Bull may have been more well known for their off-track than their on-track actions in 2015, the former world champions have still produced a reasonably successful car this season, albeit without a win for the first time since 2009.
With two young talents in Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat behind the wheel, the Milton Keynes-based outfit were always going to be strong contenders despite the heavily criticized Renault power unit.
Red Bull managed 4th position in the constructors’ championship and were the strongest in a very competitive midfield bunch featuring Force India, Sauber, Lotus and sister team Toro Rosso.
The season opener in Austrailia saw the hometown hero Daniel Ricciardo manage his highest finish at his home race, bringing the Red Bull Renault in 6th, but new teammate Daniil Kvyat failed to make the grid due to the car’s woeful reliability.
The Renault engines shortcomings were brought to the eyes of fans when Daniel Ricciardo’s engine went up in smoke after the finish line, with a huge plume of smoke signalling a destroyed power unit.
The best result for the team was a double podium in the action-packed Hungarian Grand Prix, both cars behind former driver Sebastian Vettel, and just ahead of Red Bull protege Max Verstappen.
Red Bull ended their long-standing partnership with Renault, after spending most of the season criticizing the poor reliability and power of the Renault power unit.
The base power unit for 2016 is identical to the works engine that Renault will be using, but TAG Heuer branded, and it will be up to the Milton Keynes outfit to develop the engine for next season.
Daniil Kvyat – 95 points (7th in the drivers’ championship)
Last year, Red Bull caused quite a stir by choosing Daniil Kvyat over Jean-Eric Vergne to partner the highly rated Daniel Ricciardo, who was praised as being something special after beating four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Kvyat has been somewhat of an unsung hero this season, as he managed to outscore Ricciardo, but with little recognition compared to Ricciardo outscoring Vettel, but equally worthy of huge praise.
The Russian managed to bring home a stunning second place in Hungary, the team’s best result of the season, and reliably matched Ricciardo on pure pace, though both struggled on “power” circuits and with car reliability.
Much was asked of young Danill stepping into the shoes of a four-time world champion, but as with his Toro Rosso promotion, the Russian has stepped up and dealt with the pressure incredibly well, much like Ricciardo before him.
Kvyat silenced critics who thought Vergne would have been a better fit in the team, and has been one of the surprises of the season, and one of the most impressive drivers on the grid. He will remain at Red Bull for 2016, and if the outfit can improve its finishing record, Kvyat will be challenging for more podiums in the following season, and perhaps Russia could see its first Grand Prix winner in F1 history.
Daniel Ricciardo – 92 points (8th in the drivers’ championship)
Expectations were always going to be high for Daniel Ricciardo entering 2015, after a handful of standout performances the previous year, including his first podium and win in Formula One.
As with Kvyat, Ricciardo could have scored more points if the Renault power unit wasn’t so unreliable, but followed the Russian home in Hungary to take his best finish of the season.
With much negativity surrounding Red Bull, Ricciardo has always kept his moral high and was boosted by a strong finish in his home race.
Ricciardo had no problem matching teammate Kvyat, and largely delivered on the expectations of the team once they had discovered the flaw in their engines. While 8th is a step backwards from last year, it is a fair reflection on how the car performed, and even a driver as talented as Ricciardo couldn’t drag the Red Bull into the top six.
Still, the Australian driver will remain with the team for next year, and like with Kvyat, Red Bull will be hoping for more consistent podiums if the car is up to standard. Daniel is World Champion material but hasn’t been able to show it much this season.
Both drivers did the best they could with the tools that were given and it is impossible for a team principal to ask for more than that, hence Christian Horner keeping faith in the youngsters, with no plans of moving them aside in the near future.
