Red Bull’s drivers in Formula One and V8 Supercars, the dominant forces in both these categories, are under pressure.
Here in Australia, five-time V8 Supercars champion Jamie Whincup enters the second event of the 2014 championship at Symmons Plains, Tasmania, off the back of his worst start to a season in nine years.
After a messy final race of the season-opening Clipsal 500 event, which included a drive-through penalty and an unnecessary collision with a rival, Whincup sits seventh in the standings, 108 points behind leader and teammate Craig Lowndes.
Sure, it’s very early in campaign. And Whincup has been the dominant driver in the series, losing just one championship since 2008. But dominant starts to the season have been the hallmark of his championship successes.
After all, Whincup has sat in the top two in the championship after the opening event for seven of the last nine seasons.
Crushing his opponents early and maintaining that advantage has been his style. But Whincup must fight back at a time when the depth of challengers has never been greater.
Star debutant Volvo Polestar Racing with gun driver Scott McLaughlin has the outright pace to challenge the top of the pile Red Bull team, though unreliability may cost the Swedish manufacturer in the championship battle.
The rejuvenated Holden Racing Team claimed the Clipsal 500 with James Courtney and is edging closer to its Holden rivals, while Nissan Motorsport now has the speed and reliability in its second season to challenge consistently.
Over in Formula One, multiple champion Sebastian Vettel and new Red Bull Racing teammate Daniel Ricciardo head into the second grand prix of the season in Malaysia with zero points due to a retirement and disqualification respectively in Australia.
Red Bull Racing’s Renault engines clearly don’t have the pace of the dominant Mercedes-Benz power plants in the new engine formula.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG team had a clear advantage at Albert Park a fortnight ago and customer Mercedes teams McLaren, Force India and Williams are capable of taking the fight to the reigning champions.
Expect Red Bull Racing and Renault to make gains as the season goes on, making up for the lost development time from a tough pre-season testing period. After all, many were already surprised that Ricciardo was on the pace at Albert Park.
But whether the Red Bulls can bank solid points early in the season could determine whether they have a chance of overcoming the Mercedes entries later in the season.
It was in Malaysia a year ago where Vettel defied team orders to beat then teammate Mark Webber in the infamous ‘Multi-21′ incident, in a race in which Red Bull Racing and Vettel hammered home their dominance of Formula One.
While he may not be storming off from the front this year, it will be fascinating to watch what Vettel can do in an underperforming car and whether Ricciardo can continue to match his teammate.
Simoc
Guest
We already see from Melbourne that Riccardio is a faster driver than Webber but we are yet to find out if he is a better racer where Webber excelled. I expect Renaults to be on the pace in the second half of the season. No doubt about how poor Mercedes were at the end of last season and now how fast they are now. They've been working at it longer. Are the French smarter than the Germans. The German is driving the French motor that has shown what an exhaust pipe looks like to all followers. Can Mercedes maintain their dominance. We'll know before seasons end. And speaking of Malaysia last year, that was great racing and Vettels pass on Webber as exciting as any in F1. That's what the spectators want to see. Not a multi loser being given a GP win for turning up.