The Weekly Grapevine

Red Bull, Red Cars

That Red Bull Racing have become the second team to commit themselves to Formula One after 2008 is no surprise, for a maverick approach has always been the lifestyle drinks company's calling card, and the demeanour of its wholly-owned Grand Prix racing operation is no different. After all, which other outfit would dream of mounting their hospitality suite on a raft bobbing in the Monte Carlo harbour; which team would dress their mechanics in Darth Vader gear for Monaco?

The Indianapolis debacle is another case in point. Where six teams clubbed together to mount a co-operative defence against charges brought by the FIA, Red Bull Racing conducted their own case, and, when appeals were announced, Red Bull lagged a while before confirming that they, too, would be requesting a review. Even then the motivation seemed a touch different: where the Six appealed on points of legal principle, Red Bull's stubble-bearded proprietor Dietrich Mateschitz indicated his team was rather more concerned with threats of legal action from American fans.